Hong Kong police seized five computers and other electronic equipment including monitors from the Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) student union on Friday after obtaining a search warrant to investigate an alleged rioting offence.
The campus in Hung Hom was the apex of fierce clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police which culminated in an almost two-week-long siege last November.
The union wrote on social media the day before that police said they would arrive at 8 am. However, officers did not show up until noon.
The two-hour-long search related to an incident where a police media liaison officer was shot in the calf with an arrow on November 17 last year during a street clash, local media reported. Officers reportedly requested a list of members of the PolyU Archery Club. They also took away two boxes of evidence.
Student Union President Michael Ng told HKFP that the union had turned down previous requests from the force to search the conference room of the union or provide information without a warrant.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, union Vice-President Chan Ka-hei said police prevented the student representatives from filming the search over privacy concerns.
When they tried to peer through the window into the room where the search was taking place, an officer blocked their view, he added.
Ng said police did not provide them with a reason for the search and only presented one to the Magistrate to obtain a warrant.
The union said it would actively follow up on the issue and keep the public updated.
HKFP has contacted the police for comment.
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