Hong Kong Democracy Protests News: Police Grill Joshua Wong, Student Leaders Over Protests

Four detained student leaders who led the recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong were released without charge on Friday after participating with the ongoing police investigation on the mass demonstrations that paralyzed the financial district last year.

Earlier, Scholarism student group leaders Joshua Wong, Oscar Lai, Agnes Chow, and Derek Lam were told they faced charges including inciting people to take part in illegal assemblies. They were then asked to answer some questions.

Prior to their release, the four had refused to be bound by police bail, Reuters reported.

Wong is the 18-year-old face of the Umbrella, which sought to defend Hong Kong from election regulations imposed by the Chinese government from Beijing in 2014.

The young student leader, who was named as one of Time Magazine's Most Influential Teens of 2014, said before entering the station that he was not nervous. He said the police had called him earlier in January and told him he would be arrested.

"I am still confident and optimistic for further action and the further Umbrella Movement, and continue to fight for universal suffrage," Wong said.

Dozens of protesters holding yellow umbrellas, the symbol of Hong Kong's democracy movement, chanted "I want universal suffrage" and "Support the students" before the group entered the police station.

Other members of the student group were also told that they were facing charges such as attending illegal assemblies and organizing illegal gatherings.

Before going to the police station for questioning, Wong said if he gets arrested he hopes it will inspire more people to stand up against the government.

In 1997, the former British colony of Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule under a "one country, two systems" formula, which gave the city more autonomy and freedom than the mainland, with the eventual goal of universal suffrage.

The protesters are demanding open nominations in the city's next election for Chief Executive in 2017. Beijing agreed to allow a poll to be conducted – but only between pre-screened candidates in the next two years. Authorities in Beijing also insisted on vetting all candidates first.

In September, Wong led a group of students in storming government headquarters that resulted to their arrest.

The Hong Kong protests, which authorities cleared last month, were deemed illegal by the local and central governments.