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Police in Hong Kong tore down barricades with chainsaws and pepper sprayed protesters in a push to clear roads blocked by pro-democracy demonstrations on Wednesday.
The toughest action against the occupation in more than a week saw 45 people arrested in the early hours of the morning as footage of a protester being beaten by officers went viral.
Protesters later released images of Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, a member of the pro-democracy Civic Party, showing bruising on his face and body.
A police spokesperson said an investigation was taking place and the officers involved had been suspended.
Saying the operation to clear a four-lane road tunnel was necessary “for the sake of public order and safety”, he claimed “radical protesters in the unlawful assembly” had ignored warnings to leave.
In pictures: Police push to clear Hong Kong protesters
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“Police took determined enforcement actions with the use of minimum force…using shields and pepper spray only when necessary,” he added.
The tunnel was eventually cleared but the main occupation outside Government headquarters remains.
Demonstrators marched on a police station later on Wednesday to condemn the alleged beating of Mr Tsang as authorities vowed to continue the operation to take down “illegal obstacles” blocking Hong Kong’s roads.
The protests started last month in opposition to the Chinese Government’s refusal to let Hong Kong select candidates for leadership elections in 2017, allowing only Beijing-backed politicians to stand.
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