Hong Kong teen faces trial over democracy protests

Hong Kong teenage student leader Joshua Wong will face trial on charges relating to his role in storming government headquarters nearly a year ago in a protest that sparked months-long pro-democracy street occupations.

Wong, 18, pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting and participating in an illegal assembly at a magistrates court on Wednesday.

The boyish Wong, a leader of the Scholarism high school group, became the face of last year's protests demanding open nominations for the election of Hong Kong's next chief executive in 2017. China, which took back control of Hong Kong from the British in 1997, said it will allow a free vote, but only from a slate of pre-screened candidates.

Students and other activists occupied streets in busy neighborhoods across the Asian financial hub for 79 days beginning in September 2014, but the protest movement, which captured world headlines, fizzled out as authorities refused to budge.

"Being involved in the action to take back Civic Square on Sept. 26 was the best decision I have made in the four years I have been involved in the social movement and student movement," Wong told reporters when he was charged late last month. Civic Square refers to a public area around government headquarters.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison, said Wong's lawyer, Michael Vidler.

He said that because he's under 21, Wong would more likely be required to perform community service or go to a youth correction center.

Wong was among dozens of student activists who stormed a fenced-off courtyard outside government headquarters during an evening rally on Sept. 26. Huge crowds jammed the streets outside the building after police arrested the popular Wong and other key leaders, holding them for nearly two days. Police attempts to scatter the crowds by using tear gas backfired, enraging the protesters and kick-starting the protests, which some called the Umbrella Movement and others dubbed Occupy Central.

Wong's trial is set for Oct. 30. 

Two other student leaders, Alex Chow and Nathan Law, also pleaded not guilty at the same hearing to similar charges. 

Chow, former secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, which also played a main role organizing the protests, is charged with participating in an illegal assembly. Law, the group's current leader, is charged with inciting an illegal assembly.

Wire services