Hong Kong police looking into accusations that officer kicked anti-government protester in head in Yuen Long, source says
- Force denies the accusation, claiming first video that went viral was doctored and that an officer had only kicked a ‘yellow object’
- Source says force reviewing all relevant video clips, including new ones that have surfaced
Police are looking into accusations that an officer kicked a man in a back alley during a protest in Yuen Long on Saturday, and reviewing new video clips that showed the alleged assault, the South China Morning Post has learned.
The force denied the allegations on Monday, claiming that the first video that went viral was doctored and that an officer had only kicked a “yellow object”. Police challenged witnesses to come forward.
Local volunteer group “Protect the Children”, often seen on the front line of protests trying to negotiate with police, said that the man, who was wearing a yellow top at the time of the incident, was a member and had suffered injuries consistent with being kicked.
A police source said on Tuesday that authorities were looking into the allegations and reviewing all the relevant video clips, including new ones that had surfaced.
The new videos circulating online showed the incident – which occurred in a back lane on Fung Yau Street North – from different angles, with at least 20 officers surrounding what accusers said was the victim.
A woman can be heard shouting in the clips, “Don’t hit him, stop hitting him, I am filming you!”, before other officers begin flashing bright lights at the camera, obstructing the view.