Hong Kong police arrest 87-year-old man in connection with 2019 Yuen Long MTR station assault

The octogenarian, surnamed Wong, reportedly showed up at a street booth last week proclaiming he had taken part in attack on protesters and commuters

He is being detained on suspicion of rioting and conspiracy to wound with intent

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The arrested 87-year-old allegedly told supporters of those convicted over the Yuen Long MTR station attack that he had taken part as well. Photo: YouTube

Published: 10:57am, 19 Aug 2021Updated: 9:29pm, 19 Aug 2021

Hong Kong police have arrested an 87-year-old man in connection with an assault on protesters and commuters at a Hong Kong railway station two years ago.

The man, surnamed Wong, was taken into custody from his village house at Tai Wai Tsuen off Long Wo Road in Yuen Long on Thursday on suspicion of rioting and conspiracy to wound with intent, police said. He was still being detained for investigation as of 10.30am.

According to a police source, the investigation suggested the suspect was one of the white-clad attackers who injured at least 45 anti-government protesters and commuters with rattan and wooden sticks at the Yuen Long MTR station on July 21, 2019.

The suspect claimed to have taken part in the attack while showing up at a street booth set up in the district to show support for convicted rioters last week, the source said, and his comments posted online drew police attention.

“Police checked the security camera footage of the [2019] attack and found his description matched with one of the white-clad attackers,” the source said.

Men in white T-shirts stand on the streets of Yuen Long after protesters and commuters were attacked on July 21, 2019. Photo: Winson Wong