Police arrested a man at the Hong Kong International Airport in early hours of Thursday after he allegedly stabbed an officer at an unauthorised protest.

The man in his early 20s was arrested on a UK-bound Cathay Pacific flight, according to police sources cited by local media.

The force said a riot police officer was stabbed with a short knife near Hing Fat Street in Causeway Bay at around 4 pm on Wednesday, as crowds defied a gathering ban following the enactment of sweeping national security legislation.

Police stabbing Causeway Bay July 1, 2020
Photo: Stand News.

The officer was attempting to detain another individual when the incident occurred. The attacker fled the scene afterwards. Police accused “rioters” of assisting the alleged assailant to escape.

YouTube video

Police officer’s injury [graphic] – click to view

Throughout the day thousands took to the streets in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai to oppose the newly-enforced legislation, criminalising secession, subversion, foreign interference and terrorism. They chanted Hong Kong independence slogans and waved protest flags, despite police warning their acts could violate the new law.

protest march five demands 1 July 2020 causeway bay
Photo: May James/HKFP.

Police deployed water cannon, tear gas, pepper spray and pepper balls to disperse crowds. As of 10 pm on Wednesday, police made around 370 arrests in the area, with ten people apprehended for breaching the national security law.

A 23-year-old man was taken into custody after he allegedly drove a motorbike – sporting a flag with protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times” – into three policemen in Wan Chai at around 3.30 pm. He was arrested for “furious driving” and violating the national security law.

The three officers suffered injuries to their hands and knees.

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Ho Long Sze Kelly is a Hong Kong-based journalist covering politics, criminal justice, human rights, social welfare and education. As a Senior Reporter at Hong Kong Free Press, she has covered the aftermath of the 2019 extradition bill protests and the Covid-19 pandemic extensively, as well as documented the transformation of her home city under the Beijing-imposed national security law.

Kelly has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong, with a second major in Politics and Public Administration. Prior to joining HKFP in 2020, she was on the frontlines covering the 2019 citywide unrest for South China Morning Post’s Young Post. She also covered sports and youth-related issues.