Hong Kong protests: Man arrested 'on flight to London' after attack on officer as clashes continue over security law

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A man has been arrested at Hong Kong airport on suspicion of attacking an officer during protests over a new national security law.

He was reportedly on board a flight to London that was due to depart shortly before midnight.

Shocking images shared on social media showed a police officer with a bleeding arm, complaining that he had been knifed by “rioters holding sharp objects”.

Hong Kong protests against a new national security law

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The suspects fled while bystanders offered no help, officials said.

The man arrested at the airport was onboard a Cathay Pacific flight to London due to depart just before midnight, according to local newspaper Apple Daily.

A witness said "around 10 minutes before take-off, three police vehicles drove towards No. 64 gate, outside the Cathay Pacific plane" and around 10 riot police ran up the bridge to the aircraft.

Cathay Pacific did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Police said on Wednesday they had made around 370 arrests for illegal assembly and other offences, with 10 involving violations of the new law.

The legislation punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

It will also see mainland security agencies in Hong Kong for the first time and allows extradition to the mainland for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.

China's parliament adopted the law in response to protests last year triggered by fears that Beijing was stifling the city's freedoms, guaranteed by a "one country, two systems" formula agreed when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Beijing denies the accusation.

Agencies contributed to this report

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