Hong Kong protests: four more students arrested over attack on security guards at Chinese University

Trio detained on Monday in connection with incident at Sha Tin campus on January 11; fourth man turned himself in at police station on Tuesday

Group of seven threw unknown white substance at guards manning barrier near University MTR station

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Police officers were filmed collecting evidence at the student halls at the university’s Wu Yee Sun College. Photo: Handout

Published: 12:26am, 26 Jan 2021Updated: 12:22am, 27 Jan 2021

Four more Chinese University students have been arrested over the past two days for their suspected involvement in an incident in which a black-clad group threw an unknown white powder at campus security guards, bringing the total number of people caught over the case to five.

In a statement on Monday, police confirmed that three men aged 19 to 22 were arrested that evening in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Sheung Shui on suspicion of unlawful assembly, and assault with intent to cause certain acts to be done or committed. They were taken back to the university campus where their residences were searched.

Police said a 22-year-old man surrendered at Tsuen Wan Police Station at about 6.30pm on Tuesday before he was arrested for the same alleged offences.

Before Tuesday’s arrest, Superintendent Chen Chi-cheong, from the New Territories South regional headquarters, said the trio arrested on Monday were believed to have launched the attack to challenge a university policy requiring security guards to perform identity checks at campus entrances.

“The Chinese University of Hong Kong is not a place beyond the law. We will not tolerate anyone to make use of the special environment of the school to cover their illegal activities,” Chan said, adding that officers would resolutely enforce the law.

On January 11, at least seven perpetrators, dressed in black and masked, charged the security barrier at the guard post near University MTR station in Sha Tin.