Four Lawmakers Lodge Complaints Over June 12 Clash

Four pro-democracy lawmakers have lodged formal complaints against riot police who fired pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets against extradition law protesters on June 12, accusing them of using disproportionate force.

Wu Chi-wai, Lam Cheuk-ting, Andrew Wan and Helena Wong of the Democratic Party went to the police headquarters to file the case to Complaints Against Police Office (Capo). The four said they themselves were hit by tear gas and pepper spray.

Party chairman Wu said he was infuriated by the police decision to fire without prior warning even after they identified themselves as lawmakers.

"We had revealed our position as being lawmakers and we were trying to pacify both sides," he recalled about the incident. Footage of Wu approaching the police and tear gas shell being shot even as he approached them alone had gone viral.

Wan said he got sprayed for at least 8-10 seconds, until other protesters dragged him to the side. He claimed he had lost his vision for about 15 minutes after that.

The party said it will continue to press the government to set up an independent investigation. They also plan to send a letter UN committee against torture about the events.

A number of groups and religious leaders have called for an independent probe into the police action on June 12.

But officials have said the current mechanism of police itself investigating such complaints like Capo is sufficient to address this.