Tally of people arrested concerning casino brawl raises to 13

The Judiciary Police (PJ) has announced the arrest of five further people in relation to a brawl that took place in a local casino over the May 1 holidays. The new arrests raise the tally of those arrested on suspicion of their involvement in the fight to 13.

According to the PJ, 11 men and two women aged between 22 and 48 years old were involved.

Of those arrested, 10 men have been charged with assault causing bodily harm and will be banned from entering Macau for a period ranging between four to five years, while the two women and another man have been charged with inciting violence, and have been banned from reentering Macau for one year.

The Public Security Police Force and the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, previously stated that the actions of those involved were considered to pose a danger to public safety and order, and the consequent widespread footage of the fight across multiple online platforms also harmed the image of Macau.

The police authorities stated that the variance in ban periods results from the fact that those banned for more time (5 years) were also found to be overstaying in Macau at the time of the incident.

The PJ is also investigating the origin of footage of the brawl, which quickly spread across social media platforms, adding that they are also seeking to hold those who filmed and published the footage accountable under laws that forbid the collection of still or moving images inside casino venues in Macau.