Hong Kong protesters were caught on video beating a lawyer on Sunday, May 24, during a rally against a new controversial security law proposed by Beijing that bans treason, subversion and sedition after massive and occasionally violent democracy protests last year.
A video of the assault has since made its rounds online and become propaganda fodder, dealing a blow to the pro-democracy movement as it served to deride them for displaying radical and intolerant tendencies.
The attackers kicked and hit him with umbrellas.
He was subsequently sent to Ruttonjee Hospital with injuries to his head, arm and back.
The police said the incident occurred along Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay.
Police are looking for 10 suspects, aged between 20 and 40.
Not the first time going against protesters
The Law Society in Hong Kong then came out to claim the 40-year-old was a member.
He reportedly argued with protesters as they set up road blocks.
The rally was eventually broken up by police using tear gas and water cannon.
The lawyer's assault was not the first time he ran up against the opposing faction.
It has been revealed that the lawyer had attended a Legislative Council session in November 2019 in his personal capacity to support a controversial law banning the use of masks.
The law was aimed at barring radical protesters from hiding their identities during the height of the anti-government protests.
Shocked
Hong Kong’s justice minister subsequently expressed shock over the attack by protesters.
Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah’s office issued a statement condemning the attack.
The head of the city’s barristers, Melissa Kaye Pang, who is the president of the Law Society, called the act deplorable.
Former chief executive officer Leung Chun-ying said a fund he had established would offer a HK$300,000 (S$55,000) reward to anyone who brought the assailants to justice.
Beijing closing in
Many Hongkongers fear the new proposal could spell the end of the city's treasured freedoms.
Thousands took to the streets over the weekend despite a ban on mass gatherings introduced to combat the coronavirus.
It turned out to be the most intense clash in months.
Across the straits, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said it will provide Hongkongers with "necessary assistance".
Taiwan has become a refuge for a small but growing number of pro-democracy protesters fleeing Hong Kong.