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Two Hong Kong men hit with riot charges over attack on anti-government protesters at Yuen Long MTR station

South China Morning Post

發布於 2019年08月22日10:08 • Clifford Lo clifford.lo@scmp.com
  • At least 45 people were injured in the assault, which targeted people returning from a protest but also involved passers-by
  • The pair will appear in court on Friday
White-clad men hit Yuen Long MTR station on July 21. Photo: SCMP Pictures
White-clad men hit Yuen Long MTR station on July 21. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Two of the 28 men arrested over an attack on anti-government protesters at a Hong Kong railway station have been charged with taking part in a riot, police said on Thursday.

The force said the two men, aged 48 and 54, would appear in Fanling Court on Friday.

The pair were among six suspects arrested for unlawful assembly on July 22, less than 24 hours after the attack at Yuen Long MTR station, in which at least 45 people injured.

More than 100 armed men wearing white T-shirts targeted black-clad protesters returning from an anti-government rally late on July 21. Other passengers were also attacked.

Chaos at Yuen Long MTR station as protesters confront police after sit-in

The other suspects " who, like the newly charged pair, were arrested on the less serious charge of unlawful assembly " had been released on bail pending further investigation. Rioting carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail, while unlawful assembly sentences are capped at five years.

The charges were laid against the two men after Senior Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau told the police daily press conference on Wednesday that the force was working with the Department of Justice to decide what charge, if any, would be appropriate.

Police had been criticised for a perceived slow response " officers took 39 minutes to reach the scene of the attack " and the long investigation time.

The delayed response also sparked accusations that the force had colluded with attackers. Police said resources had been stretched that night by the protest, and clashes taking place in other districts.

At least two of the 28 men, who included rural strongmen and suspected triad members, were picked up at Hong Kong International Airport as they tried to flee the city.

The last suspect was picked up in Tin Shui Wai on August 15.

Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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