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.