In a recent video, six police officers beat Hong Kong Pro-Democracy protester Ken Tsang.
At 3 AM on Wednesday, a group of six Hong Kong police officers beat a protester on the side of a street. A local TV station captured the abuse of pro-democracy Civic Party member and social worker Ken Tsang Kin-Chiu.
In the video, six officers can be seen carrying Tsang around a corner with his hands behind his back. After putting him on his stomach the officers begin a barrage of kicks and punches. Tsang does not resist the officers in the film.
According to Tsang’s lawyer, the police first arrested Tsang for assaulting an officer. Tsang was involved in an attempt by protesters to barricade a road near the main protest site. Police removed the barriers and arrested 45 individuals, including Tsang. He is currently in custody and will be interviewed after he receives medical attention.
Mabel Au, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, said, “This appears to be a vicious attack against a detained man who posed no threat to the police. Any investigation into this incident must be carried out promptly and all individuals involved in unlawful acts must be prosecuted.”
“It is stomach-churning to think there are Hong Kong police officers that feel they are above the law … All those being held solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly must be immediately and unconditionally released … Amnesty International urges the Hong Kong police to show restraint and avoid any unlawful use of force,” she said.
Hong Kong authorities claimed they would investigate the video. Hundreds of angry protesters have gathered in front of a nearby police headquarters outraged by the beating of Tsang. Officials told the public that they would suspend the officers involved in the beating.
The number of protesters on the streets has been steadily declining throughout the past few weeks. Media sources in mainland China claim that the protesters will “eventually fail.” With Tsang’s beating, the protesters are beginning to rally again in the streets.
