Police Shot Protesters Like Prey: Former Official

A former top official on Thursday accused the police of shooting at protesters "like they were hunting prey" during a massive protest against the government’s extradition bill.

Former civil service secretary, Joseph Wong, also urged the Independent Police Complaints Council to look into whether excessive force was used by officers.

“I see some of the protesters digging up bricks on the ground, but I have not seen them being used [as weapons]. I see those iron rods on display, I’ve not seen them being used either,” said Wong.

“But I see policemen aiming at protesters and firing bullets, and I saw young people being shot in the head,” he said.

“We should keep a balance and not just blame everything on the protesters and label them as rioters,” he said.

Wong said that Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s decision to push ahead with the bill despite such strong opposition is “nothing short of a dictator’s act”.

“This has never happened before in Hong Kong. It is very sad for Hong Kong to have a Chief Executive like Carrie Lam,” he said.

Lam had told an exclusive interview with TVB that she had not “sold out Hong Kong”, but Wong said this is not for her to say.

He said it’s understandable for Hongkongers to think Lam has betrayed the people with her “inexplicable stance” for insisting on making the contentious legal amendments.

Wong’s comments come after more than 200 Chief Executive election committee members signed a petition calling on Lam to withdraw the bill and step down, and also urging police to stop using violence.

They include members of the legal, medical, education and social welfare sectors.

The committee is a 1,200-strong body responsible for selecting the Chief Executive in Hong Kong.