HONG KONG: More than 500 netizens took to the streets on Sunday, slamming the Hong Kong police for letting actor Edison Chen leave the city for the United States.

Chen, 27, was caught up in the scandal when nude photos of him and several starlets were posted on the Internet. Although the star has released a video apology, many Hong Kongers posted in forums that they were upset that Chen has not explained the incident in person. They also criticised the police for protecting 'the rich'.

A call for a protest march wasmade online last week, gathering scores of people on Sunday in Victoria Park.

They then walked along Sugar Street, shouting slogans against the police force's handling of the case. Some called for the police commissioner Tang King-shing to step down.

While Chen has not appeared in public, Gillian Chung, one of several starlets whose
nude photos were circulated, said on Monday she was naive and apologised for the incident.

Chung, 27, made her statement before a mass of reporters and video cameras flanked by Charlene Choi, her singing partner in the female pop duo Twins.

"I admit that I was naive and very silly, but I've grown up now," Chung said, without explicitly saying she was in the photos. - REUTERS