Police accused of arbitrary arrests at Kwai Chung

Police accused of arbitrary arrests at Kwai Chung

Two people arrested in Kwai Chung last month after an anti-government protest have accused the police of detaining them without valid reasons before releasing them unconditionally.



At a media briefing organised by Democratic Party lawmaker Andrew Wan, the arrested duo – a food delivery person and a paramedic – said they were detained arbitrarily even though the protest against the opening of a quarantine centre there had ended peacefully.



Wan had organised an open meeting at Kwai Luen Estate on February 11 to consult residents over a much-debated government plan to convert a public clinic nearby into a coronavirus clinic.



While the rally ended peacefully, twelve people were arrested afterwards, according to Wan.



The food delivery worker, who gave his name as OK, said he is still angry that officers arrested him on suspicion of possessing instruments fit for unlawful purposes, when he only had some masks in his thermal food delivery bag.



He said he was not there to attend the protest and was there for a delivery. "I don't understand why police arrest me," the man in his twenties said.



He complained that his job was affected after officers confiscated his bag and two mobile phones.



Cindy, a 16-year-old paramedic volunteer who lives in the neighbourhood, was also arrested.



She accused officers of verbally abusing her during the search, saying her walkie-talkie was for illegal use. Her friend, who's also a paramedic, was kicked by the police, she said.



OK says he is lodging a complaint with the force, but Cindy says she won’t do so, as she fears repercussions.



Lawmaker Wan said officers must stop abusing their power, and he's also requesting the district's police commander John Tse to apologise to the arrested people.