Hong Kong 'abduction victim' arrested for misleading police

Howard Lam said he had been kidnapped from a busy Hong Kong street in broad daylight by mainland Chinese agents who punctured his legs with staples. - Office of Lam Cheuk-ting/AFP / HANDOUT

Hong Kong (AFP) - A member of a Hong Kong pro-democracy party was arrested Tuesday for "misleading police" after he said he was abducted and beaten by mainland Chinese agents who punctured his legs with staples.

Howard Lam said he had been kidnapped from a busy Hong Kong street in broad daylight over his plan to send a signed photo of footballer Lionel Messi to the widow of late Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.