The policemen arrive at the District Court in Wan Chai. But their trial was adjourned until Thursday afternoon. Photo: RTHK
Seven policemen accused of beating up Civic Party member and pro-democracy activist, Ken Tsang, have entered not guilty pleas in the District Court to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
One of them also denied one count of common assault that allegedly took place in the Central Police Station.
The officers were to go on trial on Wednesday but it was adjourned to Thursday afternoon after the prosecution said they needed time to read and translate a new statement by Tsang. The defence lawyers also said they have only just received 500 pages of documents from the Department of Justice.
The seven officers - Wong Cho-shing, Lau Cheuk-ngai, Pak Wing-bun, Lau Hing-pui, Chan Siu-tan, Kwan Ka-ho and Wong Wai-ho - were charged after TVB filmed a group of plain clothed officers hauling a handcuffed protester to a dark corner at Tamar Park in Admiralty, where the man was allegedly kicked and punched as he was lying on the ground.
The incident happened following clashes between protesters and the police on October 15, 2014 while the pro-democracy Occupy movement was underway.
Defense lawyers have indicated that they will challenge the admissibility of the video footage.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1263627-20160601.htm
