Two women remain in hospital after an attack that sparked outrage in China

a The protracted response to the incidents and “serious violations of law and discipline” by police in Tangshan City, about 150 kilometers east of Beijing, said the Hebei Provincial Public Security Administration.

Aggression and public outrage have renewed the debate over misogyny and mistreatment of women. In China.

The assault video has garnered more than 68 million views.

Police arrived at the scene 28 minutes after being called, according to authorities in Hebei. The deputy head of the Tangshan police Luby branch, who is responsible for the initial handling of the case, was removed from his post, although the statement did not explain the reason.

The footage shows a man approaching a table where three women are sitting and placing his hand on the back of one of the women. The woman asked him what he wanted before shouting “You’re sick” and slapping his hand.

Then the man hit the woman in the face, which led to a quarrel. The first victim was dragged by her hair. A group of men dining outside joined in the attack, hitting the women with chairs and beer bottles.

Two of the women were hospitalized.

Nine suspects were arrested the next day. In recent days, rumors circulated on social media about the death of at least one of the women, but the statement of the Hebei Public Security Department seems to contradict this information.

The statement said that the two women’s condition was improving and that they had “slight injuries of the second degree.” The statement said the other two women sustained minor injuries and were not taken to hospital.

After the attack, reports emerged of organized crime in Tangshan and of alleged links between the police and criminal groups. The investigation was transferred to the police in another state, Langfang City, which is also located in Hebei Province.

The Hebei Provincial Anti-Corruption Commission said today that five police officers are under investigation, including the head of the Tangshan Lobby branch and at least two others from a local police station.

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