Assault Trial Against Chan Ho-tin Gets Underway

An assault trial against the convenor of the now-banned Hong Kong National Party Chan Ho-tin began on Monday with a police officer telling the court that he was assaulted by a mob of protesters during a demonstration last year, but did not specify if he saw the suspect hitting him.

Chan has denied taking part in an unlawful assembly and assaulting a police officer near Sheung Shui MTR Station on July 13.

The court heard from the police officer concerned that he and other officers were surrounded by a shouting crowd of protesters after they did a stop and search near the Sheung Shui Centre Car Park.

The officer, who was in plain clothes and holding a baton, said they were retreating towards the MTR station, when he felt someone slap his helmet.

He told the court he turned back and saw a tall man with fair skin, wearing a black mask and black-rimmed glasses, lowering his arm.

The man quickly slipped into the crowd, who then started throwing objects like umbrellas and water bottles at the officers, the witness said.

Three videos played in court showed a group of people following the officers before a hand suddenly appears to pat one officer's helmet.

Another police officer who was at the scene said he also heard a sound of someone striking a helmet.

The officer denied a defence lawyer's suggestion that he had imagined being hit due to the tense atmosphere.

The officer also rejected a suggestion by the defence that someone could have accidentally bumped into him.

The trial is expected to last three days.