Ken Tsang Kin-chiu was punched, kicked and struck with hard objects, a court heard on Wednesday as the trial of seven police officers accused of assaulting the activist began.

The officers allegedly beat Tsang in October 2014 during the pro-democracy Occupy protests. Each was charged with wounding or striking with intent to do grievous bodily harm. One of them was also charged with an extra count of common assault. The seven have pleaded not guilty.

Daniel Marash SC, of the prosecution, told the court that Tsang felt that the blows were falling like rain on him during a beating that involved punches and kicks, as well as hard objects. He said that the ordeal lasted for about four minutes, and alleged that the defendants had some form of agreement that allowed each other to cause harm to Tsang.

Ken Tsang at the 2016 Tiananmen vigil. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

The court heard that, according to a medical examination conducted after the alleged beating, 15 bruises on his body were “completely congruent” with a retractable baton.

Tsang was taken away by six police officers who are defendants in the trial after pouring liquid on the police, the court heard. They were then joined by one more officer, who is also a defendant in the trial, before Tsang was apparently beaten up.

Ken Tsang taken away by police. Photo: Apple Daily.

Tsang was also slapped by a police officer twice in a Central Police Station interview room after refusing to reveal the password on his phone, the court heard.

The group of seven comprise of a chief inspector, a senior inspector and five junior officers. The officers are from the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, the Kwun Tong and Kowloon City Regional Police departments and the Kowloon Regional Headquarters.

Tsang is expected to testify in court on Thursday.