'Don't Rush To Conclusions Over Injured Defendants'

Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng says people shouldn’t jump to conclusions about why some people brought to court in recent months over protest-related charges had suffered various injuries.

At a Legco meeting on Tuesday, pro-democracy lawmaker Chu Hoi-dick raised concerns about possible police brutality linked to the months of anti-government unrest.

Chu noted that some people facing charges linked to the protests had been unable to attend their first court hearing because they were being treated in hospital.

He quoted a media report as saying that around 100 defendants had missed their first appearance because they were too badly injured, and around 20 had later told the courts they had been assaulted by police, either as they were being arrested or later in detention.

The lawmaker said the report by Stand News quoted one person as saying officers had beaten him up inside a police station and had put a plastic bag over his head.

Chu asked Cheng whether the Department of Justice was aware of such incidents. She replied that the department had learnt about the concerns, through the media.

"I want to emphasise that when somebody suffers an injury, we must not draw any conclusions simply based on a complaint made. We need to look at the relevant evidence and we need go through the necessary procedures to have a clear idea," she said.

"These have been extensively reported in the media and it has come to the attention of the public, but we must not draw a simple conclusion."

The police have faced repeated accusations of brutality since the anti-government protests began last June, vehemently denying the claims.

In January, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said police brutality doesn't exist in Hong Kong and the force is being "smeared" and "demonised".