Hong Kong authorities are on the hunt for three suspects who allegedly hurled petrol bombs at a police club in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police told Coconuts they received reports of a fire at the carpark of the Police Sports and Recreation Club in Prince Edward at around 1am.
Video shows firefighters arriving at the club, where plumes of dark smoke were billowing from a van that had been set on fire.
Police found shards of glass, believed to be remains of the petrol bombs that were thrown, at the scene. Upon initial investigation, officers believe the cause of the fire is suspicious and have listed the incident as an arson case.
Separately, police stopped and searched an 18-year-old man on Fuk Wing Street, which is just around the corner from the police club. They found a can of pepper spray on him and arrested him on a suspected charge of possessing a prohibited weapon. According to Apple Daily, the man is not believed to be connected with the attack.
Scenes of violence have been few and far between since the passing of the national security law on June 30, which criminalizes vaguely defined crimes of secession and terrorism with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Acts including arson and damage to public transport facilities could also violate the sweeping legislation.
Earlier in the night, scores of Hongkongers left white flowers outside Prince Edward station to mark the 15-month anniversary the August 31 attack, when riot police charged into Prince Edward station and attacked suspected protesters and commuters.
Read more: Hong Kong protestor rumored killed in August 31 attack says he has fled to the UK
Rumors that people died during the attack circulated in the aftermath of the attack, fueled by the early closure of the station that night and the authorities’ inconsistencies in reporting the number of injured.
Last week, police told a district councillor who serves the area that they would ban the laying of flowers outside the station. According to Hong Kong Free Press, three people were fined for littering.
In a live stream by Daily Record, heavy police presence was seen around the station yesterday evening. Officers also conducted searches of young people in the vicinity.
