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Hong Kong protests: growing number of repeat arrests prompts calls for special court to fast-track cases related to violent unrest
- Courts and prosecutors cannot keep up with rising number of arrests in ongoing protests, with about 60 being detained for a second time
- Lawyers and legal scholars question whether dedicated court will be effective given the complexity of the cases
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About 60 anti-government protesters in Hong Kong have been arrested for a second time after being detained and released by police, prompting calls for a special court to fast-track cases related to the unrest.
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While the idea drew some support, some lawyers and legal scholars questioned whether having a dedicated court would be effective, given the complexity of the cases.
As of October 10, police have arrested close to 2,400 people involved in the protests, which began in June and are now in their fifth month. There has been an escalation of violent confrontations between radical protesters and police.
Roughly 2.4 per cent of those arrested were rearrested after being charged or granted bail. Two thirds of them were arrested a second time within a month.
A senior police source said most were arrested for taking part in unlawful assemblies. Half were aged between 21 and 30 and the youngest was 12 years old.
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He accused supporters of “romanticising violent and barbarous behaviour”, either believing there would be no legal consequences or that the punishment would not be immediate.
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