Six more arrested over July 21 Yuen Long mob assault

Six more suspects, including three who are jobless, have been arersted Thursday in connection with a Yuen Long mob attack on July 21 last year, the police said. The number detained so far, has rines to 43. 

Mmore suspects have been identified, but some of them had fled Hong Kong, the police said. 

Superintendent Chan Tin-chu, of the New Territories North headquarters’ crime squad, said the six men – aged between 32 and 57 – were held for rioting and conspiracy to wound with intent. 

Among the suspects is a driver, car mechanic and a property agent. Some of them allegedly had triad backgrounds. 

But Chan did not give details on what roles the suspects played, only saying that they were involved in violent attacks in the Yuen Long MTR station, areas nearby and Nam Pin Wai in the district.

“As to why the arrests took so long, the case involved a lot of people and we need time to handle a massive amount of documents and videos. Many citizens have also provided us with new clips only recently,” Chan said. 

“We strongly condemn all violent behaviors. No matter what their background, identity or political orientation is, the police will enforce the law fairly based on evidence.”

Chan added the force had been working often with the Department of Justice. 

“We are looking into more individuals [linked to the case]. We have their identities, but unfortunately some have already fled,” said Chan, who appealed for people to provide more details where available.

A total of 37 suspects had earlier been arrested and seven were charged with rioting and conspiracy to wound with intent. 

On July 21 last year, more than 100 white-clad men armed with sticks and batons stormed into Yuen Long MTR station near midnight and attacked anti-extradition bill protesters, passengers and bystanders.

The police had been criticized for taking 39 minutes to respond, arriving moments after the mob had left the scene. Two officers arrived seven minutes after the incident and left to call for reinforcements.

Some 45 people were wounded by the assailants in the incident. 

The incident marked a turning point in the social unrest against the now-withdrawn extradition bill, as anti-government protesters accused the police of colluding with triads. 

Then police commissioner, Stephen Lo Wai-chung, denied the accusation, saying police had been stretched to deal with protests on Hong Kong Island the same night.