Hong Kong police slammed for ‘kicking man in an alley and referring to him as a yellow object when questioned’ in online post by self-proclaimed family member
- Uproar centres on clips that critics say show police kicking detainee after he was subdued in back alley, but force denies this
- Police initially denied that a person was visible in the video, saying the man was a ‘yellow object’, but footage from other people suggests otherwise
A self-proclaimed sibling of the man who was allegedly kicked by police after being arrested in a Hong Kong protest has condemned the force for calling the alleged victim a “yellow object”, saying while he had no power, he was not “lifeless”.
In an online message posted on the forum LIHKG on Thursday, the user called on people not to be irrational because of hate. The forum is popular with protesters.
The arrested man, who was accused of assaulting police last Saturday in Yuen Long, is now safe, according to the message.
Representing volunteer group “Protect the Children”, the Good Neighbour North District Church said on Facebook they had verified that the post was from his family. The man is a member of the group.
The controversy centred on viral online videos showing at least 20 riot officers surrounding the man in a back alley at Fung Yau Street North. Critics said the video showed an officer kicking the suspect, but the force said it was a “yellow object”.
The volunteer group, often seen on protest front lines, said he had suffered injuries consistent with being kicked.