A video circulating on social media shows a Hong Kong protester being beaten by five officers during demonstrations in the city.
The man is first hit from behind before each officer begins repeatedly striking the man with batons. He is cornered and pushed to the floor before four more officers arrive at the scene.
One onlooker is heard saying “he didn’t even do anything”. According to the Hong Kong Police Force, the man was arrested for possessing an offensive weapon, wielding a metal rod and threatening bank staff. He allegedly fled the scene at around 5pm on 5 March before being found nearby.
Police said the protester refused to surrender the weapon despite a warning and he was arrested using “necessary force”.