A video – apparently showing a civilian obeying police orders during the aftermath of the Mong Kok Lunar New Year riot – went viral over the weekend after the man was charged with rioting.
The clip, which was filmed on Sai Yee Street, shows 32-year-old Wong Sai-kit in a confrontation with over 10 Special Tactical Squad officers. One of the officers shouts “Walk away! Did you hear me?!” at Wong, who responds “Why do you need to be so aggressive? I was going to walk that way”.
The officers then all shout various things along the lines of “So go that way then!”, “Leave!” and “If you don’t go, we’ll arrest you”. However, as Wong walks off in the direction he was told to go, one of the police officers can be heard counting to three, before shouting “Arrest him!”. The officers can then be seen chasing Wong and pressing him up against a metal shopfront.
Speaking to Ming Pao Daily, Wong, who works as a chef and resides in Mong Kok, said that he had not participated in the riot at all and was simply on the streets to see what was happening.
When asked what he felt about the whole situation, Wong simply replied, “Innocent.”
Wong has been released on bail, but says he still resents his treatment by the police.
According to police, rioting is a “serious offence” and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
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