Hong Kong protesters appear in court to face 'riot' charge

Supporters gather outside the Eastern Courts to support the arrested anti-extradition bill protesters who face rioting charges, in Hong Kong, China July 31, 2019. The placard reads, "There is no thugs, only tyranny." REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

HONG KONG (Reuters) - More than 40 people appeared in a Hong Kong court on Wednesday charged with rioting for their role in a recent protest that turned violent when thousands of activists clashed with police near Beijing's main representative office in the city.

A wave of protests that began in late April have plunged the former British colony into its biggest political crisis since its return to Chinese rule in 1997.