Christina Chan arrested for assaulting police Chan held for assault

Four organised crime and triad bureau officers yesterday arrested activist Christina Chan Hau-man over an alleged assault of a policewoman during the New Year's Day pro-democracy protest outside the central government's liaison office.

The plain-clothes officers arrested Chan as she emerged from the RTHK building in Kowloon Tong after participating in a radio programme where young people shared their experiences on politicking.

She was taken to the Kowloon City station before being transferred to police headquarters in Wan Chai. Chan, who was accompanied by a lawyer, was released around 3.30pm. She described the experience as 'white terror' and believed the arrest was politically motivated as police had picked her to warn off other protesters. Chan said media would report her case because of her high profile.

She is believed to be the only person arrested so far over the New Year's Day march, involving thousands of people. Chan was among 10 young radical activists who broke through a cordon and charged towards the liaison office in Western. Tension built when several hundred protesters also approached the building, forcing the closure of Des Voeux Road. Two officers and a protester were injured in the scuffles.

Christina Chan joined an estimated 8,000 people on Friday protesting outside the Legislative Council building against the controversial plan to build a HK$66.9 billion high-speed rail line linking Hong Kong to the national network in Guangzhou. Lawmakers were debating the application for funding for the project.

Chan said that a day before the rally police went to her flat and asked her father questions, including whether the pair would participate in the rally.

She first made headlines as a pro-Tibet protester who was hauled away during the Olympic torch relay that passed through Hong Kong in 2008.