Hong Kong police arrest man, 35, after student requires eye surgery following alleged slap by teacher at Islamic learning centre

Suspect, who was arrested in Kwun Tong, detained for further questioning

Police say they received a report from family member of the student, alleging boy had been assaulted barehanded at learning centre

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The 13-year-old boy is in stable condition after undergoing a six-hour eye operation. Photo: Handout

Elizabeth Cheung,Clifford LoandLars Hamer

Published: 10:38am, 11 Aug 2023Updated: 5:44pm, 16 Aug 2023

Corrected [5:43pm, 16 Aug, 2023]

[5:43pm, 16 Aug, 2023]
This article has been corrected to reflect a clarification from the Muslim Council of Hong Kong. It said it had called for surveillance cameras and a code of conduct to be introduced in a bid to prevent abuse in religious classes rather than pledging to introduce such measures.

Hong Kong police arrested a 35-year-old man for wounding on Friday night after a 13-year-old male student was allegedly slapped by his teacher at an Islamic learning centre, requiring a six-hour eye operation.

Police said they received a report from a family member of the student on Thursday, alleging the boy had been assaulted barehanded by a man at an institution on King’s Road in North Point on August 5.

The force said the boy suffered eye injuries and underwent medical treatment at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan on August 8.

The suspect, who was arrested in Kwun Tong, was detained for further questioning. The man holds a recognisance form, a temporary immigration document that allows people to remain in the city, but not work, according to a source.

The city’s chief imam, Mufti Muhammad Arshad, has visited the boy in hospital. Photo: Handout

The Muslim Council of Hong Kong earlier called for surveillance cameras and a code of conduct to be introduced to prevent abuse in religious classes after the boy’s case came to light during the week.