Hong Kong rolls back extradition Bill

Hong Kong, October 23

Hong Kong on Wednesday formally withdrew a controversial extradition Bill that sparked months of unrest in the island nation and also released the murder suspect whose case triggered the city's mass protests.

The move to withdraw the bill came a week late due to protests at the Legislative Council during the Chief Executive's policy address, reported Hong Kong Free Press.

The second reading for the bill resumed on Wednesday. Secretary for Security John Lee then requested the Legislature to withdraw the Bill.

The Bill, which would have allowed for criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, prompted outrage when it was introduced in April. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets and the bill was eventually suspended.

But protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations, which have spiralled into a wider pro-democracy movement.

Earlier in the day, Hong Kong released from prison the murder suspect whose case triggered the city's mass protests and led to a diplomatic row. Chan Tong-kai, 20, is accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwan last year before fleeing back to Hong Kong. — IANS