Anti-extradition protests turn violent in Hong Kong

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Ongoing protests in Hong Kong against a bill facilitating extradition to mainland China turned violent on Wednesday as police fired tear gas on protesters, local media reported.

Police attempted to forcibly removed protesters from the Legislative Council complex where legislators were debating proposed amendments to the extradition bill, according to South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based newspaper.

Protesters, mostly young people camped there since late Tuesday, were building metal barricades in a face-off with police donning riot-gear.

Photos and video clips from the clash showed many masked protestors having suffered from tear gas and smoke bombs.

The violence spread to other major streets and roads where demonstrations have been underway since last Sunday.

According to the report, asthma patients faced severe health risks due to tear gas exposure.

The demonstrations are said to have been the largest since the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement rallies in 2014 when protesters used umbrellas to shield against police pepper spray.

Hong Kong is governed through a dual system under which the government oversees internal affairs but foreign and defense policies are decided by China.