Seven police officers in Hong Kong have been taken into custody for their involvement in the beating of a pro-democracy protester, BBC reported.
The incident in question occurred on Oct. 15 when protester Ken Tsang joined the Umbrella Movement's rally in Hong Kong's Admiralty district.
During a clashed that ensued that day between protesters and law enforcers, police officers arrested and handcuffed Tsang. He was then beaten and kicked by the officers.
Tsang said he was brutally assaulted by the law enforcers during the clash and while inside the police station. He received numerous bruises on various parts of his body as a result of the incident, according to the New York Times.
The beating of Tsang that took place in Admiralty district was caught on tape by TVB, a local television news network covering the event.
TVB then aired the footage which caused public outcry on the part of the pro-democracy supporters.
In response, the Hong Kong police department suspended the seven officers shown in the clip. It also launched an investigation regarding the matter.
A spokesperson for Tsang said they will work closely with authorities to identify the police officers involved in the beating.
During the start of the investigation, the police department was criticized by protesters for deliberately slowing down the analysis of the case.
However, Hui Chun-tak, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong police maintained that the department is taking the case seriously and is strictly following guidelines regarding its investigation process.
"If any other officer is suspected of illegal behavior, the police will investigate impartially and not show favoritism," Hui said.
Hui also mentioned that during the clash on Oct. 15, the protesters agitated the police officers through their aggressive behavior. He said the demonstrators who were on the overpass threw various objects at the officers below while others used their umbrellas and other personal possessions as improvised weapons.
