Trial of seven Hong Kong policemen charged with beating activist set to begin

Court earlier heard defendants allegedly "unlawfully and maliciously" caused grievous bodily harm to Tsang during Occupy protest in 2014

The trial of seven policemen accused of assaulting activist Ken Tsang Kin-chiu is set to commence on Wednesday, more than a year after the Civic Party member was allegedly “unlawfully and maliciously” assaulted during the Occupy protest in 2014.

The seven policemen are Chief Inspector Wong Cho-shing, 48, Senior Inspector Lau Cheuk-ngai, 29, Detective Sergeant Pak Wing-bun, 42, and constables Lau Hing-pui, 38, Chan Siu-tan, 31, Kwan Ka-ho, 32, and Wong Wai-ho, 36, who face one joint count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Tsang.

Chan faces one extra count of common assault.

The seven are facing trial at the District Court, where they previously indicated they would plead not guilty in a pre-trial hearing.

The previous hearing also revealed that identity would be a “key issue” in this trial.

The court heard earlier that the seven allegedly “unlawfully and maliciously” caused grievous bodily harm to Tsang with intent outside a pump station near Lung Wui Road Government Building in Admiralty on October 15 last year.

Chan allegedly assaulted Tsang in an interview room on another occasion.

Outside court, a score of supporters from the Justice Alliance and the Alliance to Support Police Force turned up as early as 8.15am to raise banners and belt out the national anthem in support of the defendants.

The seven, some wearing sunglasses and surgical masks, arrived at the court building in Wan Chai at about 9am.

(SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)