Hong Kong court rejects protesters' appeal against injunctions

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's high court Thursday refused to hear an appeal by Occupy Central protesters against injunctions to clear the barricades in occupied areas of Mong Kok.

The high court on Monday authorized police to assist bailiffs to clear the barricades in shopping district Mong Kok and vehicle entrances of a commercial building in Admiralty, by secondly extending the injunctions issued on October 20.

Lawyers on behalf of the protesters said it was wrong for the court to address a question of public order by ways of civil litigation. But the judge said their grounds were not reasonably arguable, so he rejected the appeal.

Phyllis Kwong, a lawyer representing taxi operators who claimed income loss due to the protests, said she had contacted with the police and bailiffs, hoping the barricades clearance would be smooth and collisions would be reduced.

She said the protesters would be given enough time to pack up, and they should respect the court's decision.

Several main roads in the busiest sites of Hong Kong have been occupied by protesters for over 45 straight days.