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Ken Tsang stands near where he was beaten. Photo: Felix Wong

One year after the beating of Occupy Hong Kong activist Ken Tsang: protesters gather, opinions divided

Activist Ken Tsang returns to 'dark corner' with mixed feelings; police association considers how to help families of implicated officers

There were echoes of the bitter divisions sown during last year's Occupy protests on Wednesday as police and activists voiced vastly different views on the first anniversary of one of the most controversial incidents of the 79-day movement.

Either today or tomorrow, seven police officers accused of beating activist Ken Tsang Kin-chiu in Admiralty a year ago today will be formally charged and appear in court.

The long-awaited decision to prosecute the officers - which has seen the Department of Justice seek legal opinion from top lawyers outside Hong Kong - has sparked contrasting reactions, with police staff associations backing their fellow officers and activists condemning the length of time involved in prosecuting them.

UPDATE: Occupy protester Ken Tsang charged with assaulting Hong Kong police one year after seven officers allegedly beat him

Last night, about 100 people - Tsang among them - staged a protest at the spot where he was allegedly beaten up: "Justice delayed is justice denied. I'm not afraid but I have mixed feelings being here again," he said.

Tsang condemned what he said was the inaction of justice officials and police to hold those who committed violence on peaceful protesters accountable. Candles lit up what has become known as "the dark corner" of Tamar Park, with a banner asking when the policemen in question would be rounded up.

There was no visible police presence at the small demonstration, which is unusual for a pre-arranged event.

The Junior Police Officers Association said it was discussing how it could help the families of the seven officers from the force's specialist Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, Kwun Tong CID and Kowloon City district once charges are laid.

"This incident has shown the difficulties with policing work," said Eric Tung Yiu-ming, vice-chairman of the association, which represents over half of the 28,000-strong force.

"The scope of help we can provide is rather limited. We would see if the families need any help in their everyday lives."

Watch: The original video showing Ken Tsang allegedly being beaten

More than HK$10 million was raised last year for a fund set up by two unions to support officers whose livelihoods were affected by the Occupy protests. However, there have been suggestions most of the funds could be used to help the seven officers as relatively few officers have suffered directly as a result of the protests.

READ MORE: Seven Hong Kong police officers 'to face charges and court this week' for beating Occupy protester Ken Tsang

"The fact that our colleagues will be prosecuted for doing their work certainly has depressed many … but we still have faith in Hong Kong's justice system," Tung said.

A police officer who asked not to be identified said there had not been much discussion within the force about the impending charges.

Asked if he was worried the decision to lay charges would mean more officers accused of using excessive violence during the Occupy protests could be prosecuted, the officer said: "This case is quite rare in that it was captured on video.

"Since such a level of evidence is present, it would be understandable if they did get convicted in the end."

A police source close to the investigation earlier told the that the officers would face court later this week.

A separate source said the officers would face either assault or wounding charges.

Both offences carry a maximum penalty of three years in jail.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Opinions split one year after 'beating'
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