Mother files complaint over police arrest

Maisy Mok

A woman who gave birth prematurely following her arrest has filed a complaint with the police force, saying her infant son is still intubated in hospital.

She was arrested for obstructing the police from carrying out duty when she was seven months pregnant and gave birth three days after her arrest, suffering from massive bleeding.

The woman, Lau, officially filed a complaint against the police yesterday at the Wan Chai police headquarters, accompanied by two Democratic Party district councilors who assisted her.

She said the newborn is currently receiving treatment in hospital and his condition is unstable.

The hospital previously told Lau that her son's condition had turned better and he was allowed to breathe freely without intubation. However, intubation was required again when the infant's condition turned worse and he now has to rely on an oxygen tube to breathe.

Accompanying Lau to the police headquarters was Democratic Party's Zoe Chow Wing-heng, who said officers involved in the case had caused a threat to life and harm to Lau and the newborn during the arrest.

She said officers had dragged Lau during the arrest, which caused her to fall to the ground and that led to premature birth.

"This reflects the force used by police officers is not appropriate, raising suspicions on the use of excessive force," Chow said.

Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung had last month gave his condolences to Lau but denied suggestions that police officers had used excessive force in the incident.

Kenny Lai Kwon-wai, another Democratic Party district councilor who assisted Lau, disagreed with Tang's claim. He criticized officers who made the arrest for being led by emotions when dealing with the case and using "low intelligence" to judge whether Lau was pregnant.

Lai emphasized that the officers' attitudes at the scene were poor. He accused them of abusing official power and neglecting their duties.

He said filing a complaint against the police is only the first step and does not rule out taking legal action. Copies of security footage and videos taken at the scene will be given to the police as evidence.

Lau was arrested on January 20 for obstructing officers. A viral video clip of the incident shows several police officers cursing and handcuffing her hands behind her back while she sat on the floor during the arrest.

The clip also showed officers trying to lift her off the ground in that position, with Lau appearing to be crying in pain.

maisy.mok@singtaonewscorp.com