HK police arrest at least 86 people over illegal assemblies

“To ensure that members of the public may enjoy the festival in a safe and orderly manner, police have made sufficient deployment at various districts and will closely monitor the situation and step up intelligence gathering,” police said in the statement.

Police reiterated that they had rejected a public procession proposed by an organization earlier and the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions had upheld the ban.

Anyone who organizes, participates or incites participation in the illegal assembly risks committing an offense, police said.

According to the Public Order Ordinance, participating in an unauthorized assembly carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment while taking part in a riot carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment upon conviction. In addition, anyone who participates or organizes a prohibited group gathering is liable to a fine at level 4 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.