A social worker in Hong Kong has been ordered by the District Court to pay over HK$440,000 to a police officer who was assaulted during the 2019 protests. The officer, Tsang Chi-on, filed a claim against the social worker, Yau Chi-lok, for injuries sustained during the protest on June 9, 2019, when he was hit in the head and pushed to the ground by a group of protesters, including Yau.
Yau pleaded guilty to taking part in an unlawful assembly and assaulting a police officer in July 2020 and was sentenced to four months in prison. The court ordered Yau to pay damages of HK$446,130 to Tsang, who suffered from post-concussion syndrome and other symptoms as a result of the attack.
Tsang was granted sick leave and had to undergo medical procedures, including occupational therapy sessions, to recover from his injuries. He also had to take painkillers due to occasional headaches and dizziness resulting from the assault. The judge awarded Tsang HK$200,000 for pain, suffering, and loss of amenities, along with an additional HK$240,130 for aggravated damage, loss of allowance, and medical fees.
The protests in Hong Kong in 2019 began over an extradition bill but escalated into calls for democracy and anger over Beijing’s encroachment. Demonstrators demanded an independent probe into police conduct and a halt to the characterization of protests as “riots.”
This case highlights the tensions and divisions that arose during the protests and the impact they had on individuals involved, both protesters and law enforcement officers. It serves as a reminder of the need for peaceful resolution and dialogue in times of social unrest to prevent further harm and damage to individuals and society as a whole.
