Reporter describes harrowing ordeal in HK airport assault

Global Times journalist Fu Guohao testified in Hong Kong's District Court on Wednesday (Oct. 21) that he was beaten up and zip-tied to a luggage trolley by a large gang of black-clad protesters last year after he was found in possession of an "I support Hong Kong police" T-shirt.

"I felt hurt not just because of what the protesters did to hurt me physically, but at the same time, I was also disappointed because their violent action was not how I expected Hong Kong people to behave," Fu said, recalling his experience during an illegal overnight mass sit-in at the Hong Kong International Airport from Aug 13-14, 2019.

The 29-year-old reporter for the Beijing-based newspaper also had water thrown on him and was forced to unlock his phone, with which he had been using to record the protest on video, after radicals accused him of being a fake journalist, Fu said.

"The protesters also attempted to take my pants off," he added.

Fu said he was very "sad, anxious, humiliated" after the attack took place in the late evening and early morning, when thousands of anti-extradition-bill protesters occupied the airport's departure hall, resulting in many flight cancellations.

The eight-day trial into the high-profile case began Tuesday and has four defendants: 20-year-old part-time hotel waiter Lai Yun-long, 23-year-old activist Amy Pat Wai-fan, 29-year-old part-time driver and construction worker Ho Ka-lok, and 29-year-old surveyor Wong Yat-ho.

Lai, Pat and Ho were charged with rioting for their alleged participation in the protest, and with inflicting grievous bodily harm upon other person. Wong faces an additional charge of taking part in an illegal assembly, while Wong and Pat were also charged with false imprisonment. Lai also faces additional charges of common assault and obstructing public officers in the execution of their duties.

The District Court heard that before the attack, Fu, who had been wearing a green high-visibility press vest at the protest, was using his phone to make videos at the airport main entrance and departure hall.

"Then one masked protester blocked my way and asked me for my press card," Fu said. "When others masked protesters heard our argument, they arrived in droves to besiege me."

During the hour-long ordeal, Fu said, the protesters also searched his belongings.

"And when they searched it and saw that I had a short-sleeve blue T-shirt with 'I support Hong Kong police' emblazoned on it, their emotions suddenly ran high," he said.

Fu said he had received the T-shirt from local residents who had held a rally earlier that month in support of the police.

Fu said he then shouted at the protesters, "I support Hong Kong police, you can hit me now!" He was then assaulted and was eventually zip-tied to a luggage trolley with his hands behind his head.

The protesters then took all his identity cards and placed the blue T-shirt on him while taking his picture. They also grabbed his phone and forced him to unlock it, he added. Fu said he was forced out of the trolley and to lie on the floor before he was freed and hospitalized.

(Source: China Daily)