Chaos on Hong Kong’s MTR network as police chase protesters into station and arrest 63
- Video footage shows members of police Special Tactical Squad, known as ‘raptors’, storming into train at Prince Edward station
- Services at Prince Edward, Mong Kok and Kowloon Bay stations remain suspended after night of violence and vandalism
About five officers from the Special Tactical Squad hit four commuters inside an MTR train at Prince Edward station. Photo: TVB
Two of Hong Kong’s busiest subway stations in Kowloon, Mong Kok and Prince Edward, remained closed throughout Sunday following a night of vandalism and shocking violence as radical anti-government protesters clashed with riot police.
Superintendent Tsui Suk-yee on Sunday said 63 people were arrested, including 54 men and nine women, aged 13 to 36, at Prince Edward and Mong Kok MTR stations.
The protesters were arrested for criminal damage, possessing offensive weapons, illegal assembly and possessing explosive substances. An investigation is still ongoing and police said they would not rule out more arrests could be made.
Tsui also said a 13-year-old boy was found at Prince Edward station with two petrol bombs and two lighters.
In a predawn press conference, police made no apology for tough action taken by elite personnel who chased fleeing protesters onto a stationary train on Saturday night, clubbing people wearing masks with batons, pepper spraying them, and making arrests in unprecedented scenes of chaos.
Hongkongers woke up on Sunday morning to find MTR services at Mong Kok and Prince Edward suspended on the Tsuen Wan line, as well as at Kowloon Bay station on the Kwun Tong line because of the previous night’s vandalism.
Passengers open their umbrellas to protect themselves after ‘raptors’ stormed onto an MTR train and beat four commuters. Photo: TVB
Video footage showed members of the Special Tactical Squad, known as “raptors”, charging into a stationary train at Prince Edward station on Saturday night.
During a confrontation with masked protesters trying to hold them off with umbrellas, officers were seen storming into the train and using batons to beat two young men and two women in masks who were crying and cowering on the ground. Another officer pepper sprayed them.
Officers left without arresting any of the four.
Other footage showed several commuters bleeding from head wounds, and officers tying up suspects who had been wrestled to the ground.
Police said they entered the station at the MTR’s request as rampaging protesters were vandalising ticketing machines and the control room window, while others fought with a group of elderly passengers on the train, beating them with umbrellas and setting off a fire extinguisher in the compartment.
“We disagree with the allegations that police officers entered the MTR stations to beat people up,” a police spokeswoman said, flatly rejecting accusations that they had behaved like “gangsters” and assaulted commuters indiscriminately.
“The officers used their professional experience to distinguish protesters who had changed clothes from ordinary commuters.”
However, she later acknowledged it was difficult to differentiate protesters from ordinary citizens or reporters at the scene, and said officers had used force and pepper spray to arrest protesters after being attacked with umbrellas.
Many passengers complained about police using excessive force at Prince Edward station.
“The train stopped. Police boarded and hit me twice with a baton,” said a man who was bleeding from a head wound. “They didn’t arrest me. They were just venting their anger by hitting me.”
Other
on Saturday night as the MTR announced the suspension of three more lines – Island, South Island and Tseung Kwan O – following the earlier closure of the Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong lines.
The rail operator released a statement strongly condemning “malicious attacks” on its premises.
“To protect the safety of passengers and MTR staff, trains were arranged not to stop at Mong Kok station and staff reported the case to the police. The police subsequently entered Mong Kok station for law enforcement,” the statement said.
Announcements were made in the station, appealing for people to leave, the statement said, and the operator suspended services on five lines “for the sake of safety”.
Riot police arrest an anti-government protester in Prince Edward MTR Station. Photo: Handout
Hundreds remained outside Prince Edward station until after midnight.
“Can you stop hitting citizens? Why isn’t your heart broken? Put down your differences and don’t be used by the government as political pawns,” one man called out to police.
In a statement, Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting strongly condemned the officers for the MTR crackdown.
He accused police of ignoring the safety of citizens and resorting to excessive use of force.
Additionally, on Saturday afternoon, police confiscated gas masks, laser pens, and other protective gear, as well as more than HK$40,000 in cash at a hotel room in Causeway Bay. Three men aged between 16 to 26 were arrested for possession of offensive weapons.
In the Western District, police arrested six men and two women for possession of offensive weapons including spray paint, hammers, and a leaf blower. They were also found in possession of fake press credentials.
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