Gasoline bombs set off near 2 Hong Kong police stations

HONG KONG — Authorities in Hong Kong are investigating two apparent gasoline bomb attacks Friday outside the police headquarters and a police station. Hong Kong media said a suspect was arrested.

Officers in a police vehicle spotted a man holding an ignited glass bottle at about 3:30 a.m. at the intersection where the police headquarters is located, the Hong Kong government said.

When the police vehicle slowed down, the man threw the bottle toward it before fleeing in a black car, it said. The bottle landed next to the police vehicle.

Hong Kong media reported that a second gasoline bomb went off in the afternoon near the Happy Valley police station. The South China Morning Post newspaper said a man in his 20s with a previous arson conviction was later detained after police stopped a black Mercedes-Benz.

No one was reported injured in either incident.

The attacks come as police brace for what is expected to be a major protest Sunday against proposed changes to Hong Kong’s extradition law that would allow some suspects to be sent to mainland China to face charges. /ee