- Kwong, 36, was ambushed by three people, including one who was filming, as he walked to his car at around 10am on Tuesday morning
- Democratic Party condemns attack – the third on pan-democrats in recent months – saying it was intended to intimidate members of protest movement
A pro-democracy lawmaker and prominent figure in Hong Kong's ongoing protests was admitted to hospital following an assault on Tuesday morning.
Roy Kwong Chun-yu, 36, was ambushed by three individuals " including one with a video camera " in a car park in Tin Shui Wai at around 10am, according to the Democratic Party, which he is a member of.
"Roy Kwong was conscious when sent to hospital, but his neck was hit hard," his assistant wrote on Kwong's Facebook page.
Kwong, who was brought to Tin Shui Wai Community Health Centre, could not be reached for comment.
In recent months, Kwong has been active in the protests as a mediator between demonstrators and police.
The incident, which happened on Tin Yip Road, has been logged by the police as a case of "assault and person injured".
Speaking outside the Legislative Council, fellow Democrats Lam Cheuk-ting and James To Kun-sun said the attack was a coordinated one.
Lam said Kwong was on the way to his car when three individuals ganged up on him, including one who was filming the attack.
"Kwong told me he was punched and kicked," Lam said, adding that he was told the alleged assaulters were not armed.
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Lam noted that Kwong was not the first person in the pro-democracy bloc to be attacked in recent months.
In late August, Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit and his assistant Law Kwok-wai were attacked with a baseball bat and a rod by two people in the Jordan neighbourhood in Kowloon.
Isaac Cheng Ka-long, vice-chairman of Demosisto, was also assaulted by three men on September 2 on his way home in Tai Wai.
"I do think it was a planned attack, trying to send a message to threaten all the legislative councillors in the pro-democracy camp and the organisers of the (anti-extradition movement) and those taking part in it," Lam said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, To wondered if the attack had been commissioned by a third party, saying it was uncommon for perpetrators to film their crimes.
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"Normally if you attack someone, you would leave after the assault, for fear of leaving evidence behind," To said.
He added that the video might have been meant to be circulated, or to serve as evidence that the job had been done.
He called for members of the public with information related to the assault to come forward.
To noted that Kwong was the "most popular" lawmaker in number of votes, having garnered 491,667 in the District Council (second) Functional Constituency in 2016.
"Beating up the most popular legislator sends an alarming signal to Hong Kong and the whole world that Hong Kong is no longer a place with rule of law."
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