Hong Kong protests: seven more cleared of riot charges as judge rules black clothing, protective gear no proof of participation

HONG KONG, Nov 1 (SCMP): Seven more people accused of rioting during a major anti-government protest in August of last year have been acquitted of all charges by a Hong Kong court.

District Judge Sham Siu-man on Saturday concluded there was no evidence showing what the defendants did before their arrests in Wan Chai, and ruled their presence alone was not enough to justify a conviction, even if they had been dressed in black and equipped with protective gear.