Hong Kong lawyer attacked by black-clad mob near protests against proposed national security law
- Victim got into argument with protesters erecting roadblocks in Causeway Bay
- Law Society president condemns the assault on its member, calling it ‘absolutely unacceptable’
The head of the Law Society confirmed the victim was a member and condemned the assault by protesters, saying if the violence had been over differing political stances, the state of affairs in Hong Kong was pathetic.
Legal sources identified the victim as Chan Tze-chin, who attended a Legislative Council session in a personal capacity last November to support a controversial law banning the use of masks to hide one’s identity. He is a partner at Cheung and Liu Solicitors and has both civil and criminal practices, and is the convenor of the Law Society’s swimming team.
According to police, the 40-year-old man got into an argument with dozens of protesters erecting roadblocks on Lee Garden Road in Causeway Bay at about 3.30pm. Several members of the group began hitting him with umbrellas and chased him when he tried to escape.
At one point, five rioters opened their umbrellas in an attempt to hide what their accomplices were doing, police said.