Police question 'doctored' viral video

The Hong Kong Police Force on Monday questioned the authenticity of an online video in which an officer appears to be kicking someone on the ground near Fung Yau Street North in the New Territories.

In another scene of this footage, there was no assault occurring, explained Vasco Williams, acting senior superintendent of operations in New Territories North. It is believed that at least one of the two widely shown videos had been doctored, he added.

The video showed a "yellow object" on the ground, Williams said. Because the video is very much out of focus, the object could be a person, a bag or a vest, he said.

Williams urged the person who took the video to come forward and show officers the original video clip, as law enforcement is "more than interested" in investigating any alleged incidents of police brutality.

"It's very easy to make allegations when you don't have to come forward to verify them," said Williams.

Meanwhile, Tse Chun-chung, chief superintendent of the police public relations branch, seriously condemned attempts by protesters to snatch a police officer's revolver over the weekend. Tse said that anyone doing this was acting at great risk to themselves.

It's unthinkable if a loaded revolver gets into the hands of rioters, he stressed. Under such circumstances, police officers would have to use "appropriate force" to contain the situation.