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15 Oct 2014

Hong Kong authorities investigate protester beating

Six Hong Kong police officers are removed from their current duties after footage is broadcast showing them beating and kicking a handcuffed pro-democracy protester.

Video of the beating, filmed by TV network TVB, has gone viral on the web.

The incident occurred after pro-democracy protesters clashed with police while trying to block a tunnel outside the office of Hong Kong’s chief executive.

Hundreds of police officers moved in early on Wednesday to clear protesters from the city government headquarters, in the worst violence since pro-democracy demonstrations began more than two weeks ago.

Officers, many of them in riot gear and carrying pepper spray, pushed back the crowds, tore down barricades and removed concrete slabs protesters were using as road blocks.

Police said they arrested 45 protesters in the early hours, using pepper spray on those who resisted.

Hong Kong Security Secretary Lai Tung-kwok said the authorities would investigate reports that police had used excessive force against protesters.

He added: “There is concern over a video clip taken by the media showing police officers who used inappropriate force against an arrested person.

“The Complaints Against Police Office has received a relevant complaint and will handle it in accordance with the established procedures in a fair and impartial manner.

“The officers involved will be temporarily removed from their current duties.”

The man who was beaten is Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, a member of Hong Kong’s Civic Party. His lawyer said he was also been beaten in a police station and had been taken to hospital.

Outrage over his treatment could galvanise support for the democracy movement in the former British colony, where protests have dwindled from around 100,000 at their peak to a few hundred.

Protesters have been demanding full democracy for the city. They are also calling for its pro-China leader, Leung Chun-ying, to step down.

Asia’s richest man, Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, made his first comment on the demonstrations, urging protesters to go home to their families and warning that if the rule of law broke down it would be the “greatest sorrow” for the city.