Hong Kong protests: seven arrested in connection with stabbing of police officer
- Girlfriend of main suspect among those accused of helping him try to flee city
- Group of five men and two women picked up in series of raids on Thursday
The girlfriend of a 24-year-old man charged with stabbing a police officer was among seven Hongkongers arrested on suspicion of helping him try to flee the city.
Senior Superintendent Yau Kin-hung said the group of five men and two women, aged between 24 and 71, had been picked up by officers in a series of raids on Thursday.
According to Yau, the seven were suspected of providing varying degrees of help, including buying a plane ticket for the man, and taking him to the airport.
Police also believe the group gave the man information about the investigation, Yau said.
First person charged under security law remanded after being denied bail
In Hong Kong, assisting offenders carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
The senior superintendent said the investigation was under way and further arrests were possible.
As of 12pm on Friday, the seven suspects were still being held for questioning and none had been charged.
The attack occurred outside Victoria Park in Causeway Bay at about 4pm on July 1, when an officer was stabbed during a protest against the national security law.
The man, charged in connection with the incident, was stopped at the airport just before midnight on the same day while attempting to leave the city.
