More than 200 people queued up outside West Kowloon Court for the hearings today.

Ninety-six people were appearing in West Kowloon Court today charged with rioting over clashes with the police following an unauthorized march at the end of of September, RTHK reports.

Thousands had taken to the streets of Hong Kong Island on September 29 for what was termed a "global anti-totalitarian march.''

The court was dealing with the dozens of defendants in two batches.

The first group involved 44 defendants alleged to have taken part in a riot on Harcourt Road in Admiralty. The second batch involved 52 defendants accused of joining a riot in Queensway.

One of the defendants, a social worker, also faced an additional charge of assaulting a police officer.

More than 200 people queued up to sit in on the hearings, with extra seating set up outside for people to follow the proceedings via a televised link.