Seven Hong Kong police officers have been arrested and suspended for the violent beating of pro-democracy protester Ken Tsang.

The officers had been caught on video dragging a handcuffed Tsang into an alley before hitting and kicking him repeatedly on October 15.

An official police statement said that the officers had already been suspended, and  were now being detained on suspicion of "assault resulting in grievous body harm."

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The footage was aired by local TV network TVB, Tsang's lawyer says that the beatings had continued after he was taken to a police station.

The authorities immediately moved to suspend the officers and launched an investigation shortly after the clip was aired.

Scenes of the beating sparked outrage in Hong Kong, where citizens called for a full police investigation. Police officials say their investigation has not concluded, and that so far no charges have been filed against the officers.

Although the police did not reveal the names of the officers arrested, Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily managed to get a hold of an internal police memo listing the names of the officers and posted in on its website.

The arrested officers include Chief Inspector Wong Cho-shing , Senior Inspector Lau Cheuk-ngai, Sergeant Pak Wing-bin, constable Lau Hing-pui, Constable Chan Siu-tan, Constable Kwan Ka-ho, and constable Wong Wai-ho.

A police spokesman told the BBC that Tsang had promised to show up to identify his assailants, but never did. He also recommended Tsang assist the police in investigations as soon as possible.

"If any other officer is suspected of illegal behavior, the police will investigate impartially and not show favoritism," said the spokesman.

TagsHong Kong Policemen Arrested for Beating Protester, Ken Tsang, pro-democracy, protests, Occupy Hong Kong