Hong Kong police accused of locking up onlookers not involved in the illegal protests rocking city
- Among those affected was ex-police officer Jan Bochenski, 62, who was arrested for joining an ‘unlawful assembly’ in his own neighbourhood
- Lawyer who acted for a passer-by arrested in Kowloon East said police used a ‘lame excuse’ to obstruct her from meeting her client
Lawyers and an ex-officer have accused Hong Kong police of indiscriminately arresting onlookers not involved in illegal anti-government protests and “purposely delaying” their right to access legal and consular help.
Among those affected was former marine police officer and retired pilot Jan Bochenski, 62, who was arrested earlier this month for joining an “unlawful assembly” in Sai Wan, his own neighbourhood.
He said he spent 30 hours in custody and had to wait for four hours to phone his wife and another four hours before he could speak to his lawyer despite multiple requests to officers.
Bochenski recalled that he and about 30 other onlookers, who were watching police guard Beijing’s liaison office in Sai Wan from Ka On Street, were arrested at around 9pm on August 4.