Hong Kong formally scraps extradition bill that sparked protests

Wednesday, 23 October 2019 11:12

Hong Kong has officially withdrawn the controversial extradition bill that sparked months of violent protests in the city.

"I now formally announce the withdrawal of the bill," Secretary for Security John Lee told the city's legislature on Wednesday.

It comes on the same day that a murder suspect at the heart of the extradition case controversy was released from prison.

Chan Tong-kai, who is wanted for killing his partner in Taiwan, was released after serving a separate sentence for money laundering.

It comes a month after Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced plans to withdraw the bill formally.

More from International News

Thousands of Australians without power as cyclone Alfred hits

Hundreds of thousands of people in Australia's Queensland state were without power on Sunday after Alfred, a downgraded tropical cyclone, brought damaging winds and heavy rains, sparking flood warnings.
Israeli airstrike kills two in southern Gaza

An Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, medical sources said, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend a shaky 42-day ceasefire agreed in January between Israel and Hamas.
12 people injured in Toronto pub shooting

Toronto Police said early on Saturday they were searching for three male suspects in a shooting that injured at least 12 people at a pub in the Canadian city.
Cyclone Alfred downgraded as millions stay indoors

Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred lingered off the south-east Australian coast on Saturday and forecasters said Brisbane is likely to miss the worst of the storm, a relief for millions of residents in the region who have been staying indoors.