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SCMP Reporter

A FORMER Correctional Services Department (CSD) officer involved in the controversial raid at the Whitehead detention centre will be charged with assault when he returns to the territory.

  It is understood that the man is in China and is aware that he faces court action upon his return.

  The officer, who was employed as a security officer at Whitehead at the time of the April 7 raid in which 99 inmates claimed to have been assaulted, resigned shortly after the operation.

  The Legal Department confirmed yesterday that they would be charging a former CSD officer with assault but the spokesman was unable to say when.

  One source said the man knew there was a very good chance he would be charged as a result of his actions and left the CSD because of the pressure he faced following the operation.

  Three serving CSD officers were charged with assault on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in assaulting Vietnamese inmates on April 7.

  The action came six weeks after a report by police investigators was delivered to the Legal Department.

  The three, all junior officers, have been suspended on full pay. They made their first appearance in court on Thursday where they pleaded not guilty.

  Some Vietnamese asylum-seekers and police officers are expected to give evidence in the trials which will be held in November.

  Refugee Concern has claimed the men are being used as scapegoats by the Government because of public pressure for charges to be brought following the raid.

  The Correctional Services Officers' Association echoed this concern and said they were upset that the organisers of the operation faced no penalty.

  The Whitehead raid was launched to transfer 1,500 Vietnamese to the High Island detention centre. It involved more than 1,200 officers of the police and CSD in riot gear. Hundreds of rounds of tear-gas were fired.

  An independent inquiry ordered by Governor Chris Patten found that widespread assaults took place in a security block at the end of the operation.



Fourth Whitehead raid officer to be charged