Democracy activist Joshua Wong and girlfriend assaulted in Hong Kong

Prominent Hong Kong student protest leader Joshua Wong. Pic: AP.

By Asian Correspondent Staff Jun 29, 2015

One of Hong Kong’s best known student democracy activists Joshua Wong and his girlfriend Tiffany Chin Sze-man were attacked by an unknown assailant in the Tai Kok Tsui area early Monday.

Wong said on his Facebook page that the couple were passing a man and woman on the street when the man grabbed him by the neck and punched him in his left eye.

Wong and his girlfriend had just left Olympian City movie theater and were walking to Mong Kok MTR station to return home when the incident occurred.

The teenager posted a picture of his injuries on his Facebook account. His girlfriend received minor injuries to her leg after being pushed to the ground during the incident.

Joshua Wong posted a picture of his injuries to his Facebook page.

He was taken to a Hong Kong hospital for treatment early Monday, before telling reporters that he was convinced that the “shameful” attack was because of his pro-democracy activities and his involvement in last year’s ‘Umbrella Revolution’ protests.

The 18-year-old has long been a thorn in the side of authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing. In 2012 he led more than 100,000 on the streets of Hong Kong to protest against mandatory nationalistic education.  Wong won that battle, with Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung backing down on the planned education reforms.

Wong was denied entry to Malaysia last month after arriving in Penang to speak at a number of forums ahead the Tiananmen Square anniversary.

He said at the time: “Today I was invited by the civil society in Malaysia to share my experience and my views on the Umbrella movement and the June 4 incident. Now the Malaysian government has denied me entry and demanded I return to Hong Kong. I’m getting on the return flight.”

[Image via Facebook]