Hospital Abuse Is 'tip Of An Iceberg': Protesters

A group of anti-extradition protesters say they believe the alleged assault of a man in hospital in June is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to police brutality against suspects.

Speaking on Wednesday at the latest so-called Citizens' Press Conference, which is a platform for anti-extradition protesters, representatives called the alleged assault a case of police misconduct.

Winston Yau, a spokesman of the platform, expressed concern that such behaviour may be the rule rather than the exception.

“The victim was arrested for drunken behaviour but nothing involved in the protests. We strongly believe if this is how the Hong Kong police force treats a frail, elderly detainee in a non-political incident, one can only shudder [to think] how they would have been treating pro-democracy protesters,” he said.

“How much more inhumane and torturous abuse are still hidden in the dark?” he asked.

The protesters also spoke out against what they saw as the slow response by the police, saying it showed the current police complaints mechanism doesn't work and that an inquiry into action by officers in recent months is needed.

The protesters also accused the police of selective law enforcement, which they say would encourage violence against anti-extradition protesters such as the chopper attack at a Lennon Wall in Tseung Kwan O this week.

Spokesman Anton Leung also cited the Yuen Long attack a month ago, when a mob of white-shirted men indiscriminately attacked people at the MTR station there. No charges have been filed so far.

“It’s sending a signal to the people who are against the protests that they have free rein to basically attack protesters and not have any responsibility,” he said.

“I think they are basically kind of encouraging hate crime,” he added.