In Hong Kong protests, did police use excessive force or issue a proportional response?
- With at least 80 people injured, both sides of city’s political divide levelled accusations over whether police or protesters were the more violent
- Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo dismisses ‘excessive force’ claims, pointing to how 22 of his officers were hurt
Hong Kong police have drawn flak for their handling of protesters, several of whom were shot in the head by rubber bullets during Wednesday’s clashes, but the police chief rejected accusations of excessive use of force, countering that his officers were also in grave danger.
A day after the mayhem that ensued when protesters tried to storm the legislature, both sides of the city’s political divide levelled accusations over whether police or the protesters were the more violent.
Accusations of police brutality surfaced as pictures and videos of bloodied protesters circulated on social media while former officers defended their erstwhile colleagues, pointing out they had projectiles such as metallic items thrown at them.
Among those injured in the crowds were a contract driver of public broadcaster RTHK, whose heart stopped once after he was hit by a tear gas round, and a secondary school teacher who suffered a gash above his right eye.