Hong Kong Tourist With Tourette Syndrome Assaulted in Taipei
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 28-year-old Hong Kong man with Tourette syndrome was assaulted on September 4 while travelling in Taiwan after he suddenly shouted during a flare-up near Exit 2 of Shilin MRT Station in Taipei. Police said the two suspected attackers apparently mistook the outburst and the man’s Cantonese reply for provocation, and they have since identified both men for follow-up investigation
Key Points
- The victim, surnamed Hon, was travelling in Taiwan when the incident happened at about 5pm on September 4 outside Exit 2 of Shilin MRT Station
- Sing Tao reported that Hon, 28, has Tourette syndrome, a chronic neurophysiological disorder that can cause involuntary repeated motor or vocal tics
- Two Taiwanese men, identified by police as a 42-year-old surnamed Chan and a 33-year-old surnamed Yeung, allegedly questioned him in Taiwanese Hokkien before attacking him
- Because Hon did not understand Taiwanese Hokkien and replied in Cantonese, the two men allegedly believed he was insulting them and then beat him
- Police said the suspects fled before officers arrived, while Hon was badly shaken but had no obvious external injuries and planned to return to Hong Kong two days later
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong travellers, the case underlines how a medical condition and language barriers can quickly escalate into violence in public spaces. Taiwan police said they would not tolerate street violence and would handle the case under relevant provisions of the Social Order Maintenance Act, even though the victim said he did not intend to file a complaint