HONG KONG police yesterday said they arrested three men who allegedly caused a disturbance that had interrupted the proceedings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) earlier this year.

They were suspected of committing the crime of contempt according to the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance and the crime of administering or attempting to administer noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy others according to the Offenses against the Person Ordinance, the police said.

Local media said the suspects are former opposition lawmakers Ted Hui, Raymond Chan and Chu Hoi-dick.

The police said they received calls from the LegCo secretariat May 28 and June 4, reporting that some people splashed foul-smelling liquid to the rostrum. There were two people reporting physical discomfort May 28. The case was followed up by the investigative team of the police. After consultations with the Department of Justice, the police arrested the three people yesterday.

The second and third readings of the National Anthem Bill were held at the LegCo chamber May 28 and June 4, respectively.

(Xinhua)