HK court convicts 6, clears 2 police officers after they allegedly 'framed and beat homeless men'

Six of the eight police officers, accused of beating homeless people, destroying their personal belongings and framing one of them, were convicted by a Hong Kong court on Friday. The remaining two defendants were found not guilty.

The eight members of the police force, sergeant Lam Wah-ka and constables Kwok Chin-sing, Hon Ting-kwong, Leung Fei-pang, Pong Chun-sze, Mok Chi-shing, Wan Pak-Sze, Chan Sau-yip previously pleaded not guilty to a total of 10 charges.

Among the charges were those relating to perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, criminal damage, and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The District Court on Friday convicted Lam, Leung, Pong, Mok, Wan, and Chan of perverting the course of justice. While Kwok and Hon were acquitted of all charges.

The judge adjourned the case until October 8 to hear the convicted officers' mitigation pleas.

Those found guilty were released on bail. They were ordered to surrender their passports and report to the police every week.

The case centered on two drug sweeps on April 4 and April 24, 2020, around Tung Chau Street Park, which is home to many street sleepers.

The court previously heard that two street sleepers involved in the case, Nguyen Van Son and Le Van Muoi, were beaten by officers during the operations. The two also said that police had destroyed their belongings, with one saying they had been framed for possessing dangerous drugs.

Read more: Eight cops 'framed and beat homeless men'

Le was subsequently arrested for possessing dangerous drugs and was charged on March 10, 2020. He committed suicide on October 8 that year in a cell at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre where he was remanded.

In November 2023, the Coroner’s Court unanimously ruled that Le had died by suicide following a two-day hearing.