A man who appears to have been dragged to a secluded place and beaten by several Hong Kong police officers has been identified as Civic Party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu. The video, released by Hong Kong broadcaster TVB this morning, is already going viral across the city’s social media platforms.
It appears to show a motionless, possibly handcuffed, man being carried by six police officers to a dark corner of a deserted building at around 3:30am this morning – just as police unleashed the full force of their crackdown against pro-democracy protestors who had taken over Lung Wo Road in Admiralty overnight.
Although it’s hard to make out exactly what’s happening in the clip, which seems to have been shot from quite a distance, it appears the man is kicked and punched by several officers while others stand guard. More police join the group, before the prisoner is lifted to his feet and escorted out of view with seemingly no resistance.
According to SCMP’s live Occupy Central blog, Civic Party leader Alan Leong has identified the alleged victim as party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu. He is currently being held at the detention centre at Police College in Wong Chuk Hang, but his lawyers plan to admit him to hospital to have his injuries inspected.
Other footage in the video shows tents being forcefully removed with people inside them and a young female protestor being roughly thrown to the ground by police.
Extended footage below:
Hong Kong police have just released this statement: “Police express concern over the video clip showing several plainclothes officers who are suspected of using excessive force this morning (October 15). Police have already taken immediate actions and will conduct investigation impartially. The Complaints Against Police Office has already received a relevant complaint and will handle it in accordance with the established procedures in a just and impartial manner.”
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