Justice puts a cork in the case against champagne activist

The government will not prosecute an activist who was accused of spraying champagne at a security guard during a protest last month outside the central government's liaison office.

Before the decision by the Department of Justice not to prosecute, critics of the police had said that members of the force had become more willing to abuse their power for political reasons.

Ip Ho-yee was arrested during a gathering outside the liaison office on October 10 to celebrate the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to mainland dissident Liu Xiaobo .

It was reported at the time that activists opened three bottles of champagne and some of the spray from Ip's bottle accidentally hit a security guard behind the liaison office's main gate.

Ip was arrested after the guard complained to police. She was released on bail until yesterday, when she reported back to police.

A police spokeswoman said all charges against Ip were dropped after the Department of Justice decided against prosecution.