Seven police officers were found guilty by a Hong Kong court of assaulting pro-democracy activist Ken Tsang Kin-chiu in the early hours of October 15, 2014, during the Occupy civil disobedience movement, government broadcaster RTHK reported.
The policemen were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Tsang, a former member of the Civic Party, in an attack that was captured on video by a local television channel. They were cleared of a more serious charge of grievous bodily harm.
Four of the officers are from the Kwun Tong District Anti-triad Squad. They are senior inspector Lau Cheuk-ngai, sergeant Pak Wing-bun, officer Lau Hing-pui and Wong Wai-ho. The other three include Triad and Organized Crime Bureau chief inspector Wong Cho-shing, Kowloon East Regional Crime Headquarters officer Chan Siu-tan and Kowloon City District officer Kwan Ka-ho. Chan was also found guilty of common assault for slapping Tsang’s face inside Central Police Station.
Prior to the incident, hundreds of protesters occupied Lung Wo Road, a key road leading to the government headquarters. The anti-riot police dispersed the crowd with buttons, shields and pepper spray.
After Tsang spilled water onto some police officers, he was arrested and carried by the seven officers to a dark corner of Tamar Park. Video footage showed Tsang being repeatedly kicked and beaten by several officers at a time, with the defendants taking turns watching out for onlookers and trying to shield the scene from view.