A mainland abode seeker was not even on the scene when 100 right-of-abode claimants surrounded Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee's car on April 24, a court heard yesterday.
Tsoi Ching-hau, 29, said a friend rang him at 6pm and told him some abode claimants' parents in Chater Garden were demanding to talk to someone.
Tsoi said he left his Quarry Bay home after dinner and caught a tram to Central. The journey took about 45 minutes, Western Court heard.
He said he was allowed to enter Chater Garden after he told a police officer he was one of the abode claimants.
Sometime after 8pm, while he was sitting with other protesters in the square, a police officer grabbed his shoulders. When he asked the officer what was happening, Tsoi said he had been told only that he was under arrest.
He was taken to a police station and held for two days.
