HONG KONG: The first protester shot during months of unrest in Hong Kong has been charged by police with rioting and assaulting an officer.
Authorities on Thursday charged the 18-year-old with rioting and assaulting a police officer during widespread protests and violent clashes on Oct 1. Police said the officer fired his weapon at the man in self defence. The protester was shot in the chest and rushed to hospital, and is expected to survive.
Videos of the incident show a group of protesters armed with pipes and other weapons chasing riot police before one of the officers fired his gun. The protester who was shot appeared to swing a pipe or rod at the officer before the gun was fired.
Police subsequently defended the officer, saying he fired his gun only because he believed his life and the lives of other officers were at risk. Protesters have condemned what they said were aggressive tactics by the police force, and plan additional protests this weekend.