Two prominent pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been released on bail following their arrests earlier today.
Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, both members of the pro-democracy group Demosisto, had been detained earlier on Friday.
Speaking after her release, Ms Chow accused authorities of attempting to scare residents from taking part in protests.
She said: "We Hong Kong people won't give up and won't be scared.
"We will keep on fighting for democracy and the five demands of the Hong Kong people."
She highlighted several of the protesters' demands - including a complete withdrawal of a controversial extradition law and an independent investigation into the police handling of protests.
However, she said the most important was "universal suffrage and a democratic political system in Hong Kong".
Mr Wong, meanwhile, suggested fundamental rights were being eroded:
My arrest shows the government answers our request for a dialogue with batons, tear gas, rubber bullets and mass arrest. Our freedom of assembly and other fundamental rights are eroded.
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) August 30, 2019
The South China Morning Post reports both activists were arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly, in relation to a protest at police headquarters in June.
Demosisto earlier tweeted that Mr Wong was arrested while walking to a subway station.
BREAKING: Our secretary-general @joshuawongcf was just arrested this morning at roughly 7:30, when he was walking to the South Horizons MTR station. He was forcefully pushed into a private minivan on the street in broad daylight. Our lawyers following the case now.
— Demosistō 香港眾志 😷 (@demosisto) August 30, 2019
However, Demosisto also moved to deny reports that a third member - their chairman - had been arrested.
Activists
Mr Wong, a former student activist, is one of the most high-profile pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong - having risen to prominence during large-scale 'Umbrella Movement' protests in 2014.
He has been jailed on several occasions after being convicted of offences such as unlawful assembly and contempt of court.
His release in June following his most recent jail term coincided with the escalation of the ongoing mass protests in Hong Kong.
He has since spoken out in support of the pro-democracy movement - in particular highlighting the actions police have taken against protesters:
Riot police fired water cannon towards protestors. pic.twitter.com/d0GconxTbk
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) August 25, 2019
This weekend is expected to see another round of demonstrations in city.
The protests initially began over a controversial extradition bill, which would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China.
While the bill has been suspended, hundreds of thousands of people have continued to take to the streets - calling for the bill's complete withdrawal and for an investigation into the police handling of the demonstrations.
According to the SCMP, protesters are aiming to 'stress test' road and rail infrastructure to Hong Kong airport on Sunday and Monday - potentially disrupting services.
Airport authorities chose to cancel all arrivals and departures earlier this month during protests in the airport terminals.
