Suspects of an alleged assault on television journalists in an anti-Occupy rally last year were allowed to obscure their distinctive features during a police identification parade by wearing face masks and shower caps, it has emerged.
The news came after the police said last week they did not have enough evidence to prosecute the alleged offenders, despite video footage from the three TVB crew members in October 2014.
But when attending an identity parade – where the suspects, aged 50 -61, were presented – the TV crew found few had their faces completely visible, am730 reports.
The suspects were allowed to wear face masks and shower caps after some requested their distinctive features be hidden.
Lo and behold, no-one was identified in the parade.
The alleged victims said the identification process was inappropriate.
According to a retired senior police inspector it is common practice for some part of a suspect’s face to be covered during the parade.
Barrister Albert Luk, however, believes that if the suspect was not wearing a mask at the time of the alleged incident, then the mask should not be permitted.
As none of the suspects were fresh from performing surgery at a nearby hospital, they were not said to be wearing masks and shower caps during the reported attack.
Luk added that police could still prosecute suspects with the evidence on hand, even if positive identification was not obtained at the parade.
Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen said last Saturday that police should conduct further investigations, but added that while there are video clips of the attacks, the actions recorded may have different interpretations.
A similar controversy occurred last month where seven policemen accused of beating a handcuffed activist were “severely uncooperative” in an identification parade.
Then-police commissioner Andy Tsang said the police “also have the right to not cooperate”.
Photo: TVB screengrab
