Riot suspect grounded

In a separate development, the city's major airline, Cathy Pacific, confirmed on Saturday that a Hong Kong pilot charged with rioting for taking part in a recent protest has been grounded.

On Friday, the embattled airline received a warning from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the national aviation regulator, over the possible safety risk the pilot posed and queries from passengers and the public.

The airline also confirmed that two of its employees had been dismissed for misconduct.