Two Police Officers Arrested Over Torture Claims

Police said they have arrested two officers over allegations that a 62-year-old man was assaulted while he was at the North District Hospital, but rejected charges that officers had tried to cover up the incident that happened on June 25.

At their daily police briefing, police said both officers have been suspended from duty and the case is being investigated by the New Territories South regional crime unit.

Officers explained that while the Complaints Against Police Office (Capo) had received a complaint from the victim's son in late June, they were unable to contact the father or any of his sons despite making four attempts to do so.

"Since we were not able to reach him to make a statement, it was not practical for us to carry on with the investigation earlier," said John Tse, Chief Superintendent at the Police Public Relations.

None of the officers involved in the man's arrest were asked to make a statement either before they were arrested on Tuesday.

The announcement of the arrests came just hours after Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting and two sons of the victim gave a press conference alleging police torture, showing the media security camera footage of some officers beating and slapping a man strapped on to a bed.

Police said at their briefing that this was the first time that they had come across the footage, and they had not tried to obtain the video beforehand as they were not aware that the hospital had security cameras.

“It’s the first time the police have seen the video today, so the allegation is we were informed but covering up the incident is totally false", Tse said.

He repeatedly promised that officers will proceed with the case fairly and impartially. "It is clear that the action committed by police officers concerned are unlawful. Police will not tolerate any illegal assault or mistreatment of any person by any police officers”, he said.

The sons had said their father had been charged with assaulting police and had been taken to hospital as he was drunk and agitated.

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