Hong Kong police made a minimum of 87 arrests on Oct. 1, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in defiance of a police ban on a protest march in help of 12 activists detained by the China Coast Guard as they tried to flee to democratic Taiwan. Among the many arrestees was a person who was surrounded by riot police as he was smoking a cigarette on the road. In an incident filmed by the media, the person was later shoved to the bottom, his glasses flying off his face. The person, who gave solely the nickname Kelvin, spoke to RFA’s Cantonese Service about his experiences in police custody:
I advised the riot police they need to both cost me or arrest me. Certainly one of them snatched away my telephone. I advised them in the event that they wished to arrest me, they need to arrest me, not rob me of my private property. I mentioned I’d give them my belongings for safekeeping in the event that they accomplished a traditional arrest process.
I used to be very upset that they only stole my private property with out going by way of correct procedures.
I advised them: “I haven’t got an issue if you wish to give me a ticket or arrest me, however I would like you to do it legally.”
[The police proceeded to arrest Kelvin, who later asked for medical treatment for injuries sustained during the arrest.]
After I arrived on the hospital, I used to be advised by a riot police officer I did not know and hadn’t seen earlier than that the officers had used extreme pressure, and that he did not see any cause to arrest me.
He advised me: “How about we simply make a symbolic arrest. Your private belongings or telephone will not be confiscated and you will not be cuffed whenever you go onto the ward.”
After we bought to the triage station at Ruttonjee Hospital, the riot police could not undo the cable ties [used to secure my hands]. My palms had been bruised and bleeding.
Then they bought very nervous and began asking round for scissors, asking a girl working within the emergency room if they might borrow some. They managed to chop it open, however I used to be left with cuts from the scissors on my proper and left palms.
They’re purported to be professionally skilled to make use of applicable pressure and restraining strategies, however they could not even get the cable tie open. I believe it was unreasonable of them to injure an arrested particular person attempting to get the cable tie open.
This was completely an arbitrary arrest. As members of the general public, we have now no management over arbitrary arrests by police, who can arrest as many individuals as they like. However there isn’t any technique to press prices in opposition to them after you could have been arrested, so what is the level [of complaining]?
I believe individuals who have acted in opposition to their conscience can be punished someday.
After the video was launched, I used to be requested if I used to be afraid of entering into extra hassle with police.
I wish to say that from the primary day I took to the streets, I used to be anticipating to be arrested. I’m not afraid.
[Police later released Kelvin and three others arrested at the same time on bail. They are required to report to local police stations this month.]
Reported by Man Hoi-tsan for RFA’s Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
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