Hong Kong government withdraws unpopular extradition bill that sparked weeks of protests

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Hong Kong’s government withdrew legislation that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.

The bill fueled months of protests and violent clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police.

Secretary for Security John Lee told Hong Kong’s legislature that the bill was suspended because it led to “conflicts in society,” according to the Associated Press.

“I formally announce the withdrawal of the bill,” Lee told lawmakers.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets since June in response to the bill that would have given China a tighter grip on the semi-autonomous region. The scrapping of the bill went hand-in-hand with release of Chan Tong-kai, the murder suspect at the heart of the controversy over the extradition case, from a Hong Kong prison.

The move is unlikely to end the unrest. Protesters are now demanding an investigation into police conduct, amnesty for protesters who have been arrested, and electoral reforms.

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