Hong Kong journalism groups accuse police of assaulting reporters and photographers during extradition bill clashes in Mong Kok
- Hong Kong Journalists Association and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association issue joint statement
- Groups claim three serious incidents took place and police again failed to display identification numbers
Hong Kong journalism groups have accused police of assaulting journalists and obstructing reporting during running battles between officers and extradition bill protesters on Sunday.
In a joint statement, the Hong Kong Journalists Association and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association, claimed that during the clearance of protesters on Nathan Road in Mong Kok, officers had repeatedly pushed reporters and photographers on the front line, and even assaulted them.
These moves limited coverage of proceedings and impacted the freedom of the press, the associations said on Monday, in the 11th such statement since the protests began in June.
Video footage taken at the scene showed some officers involved in the clashes had not displayed their identity numbers or shown warrant cards, making any potential complaint more difficult.
Following the clearance operation, police arrested five people on suspicion of assaulting an officer and obstructing police in the execution of their duties. A sixth person was arrested for failing to provide proof of identity during the earlier peaceful march from Tsim Sha Tsui to West Kowloon station.