[hker]

Thugs-for-hire is actually a common tactic for suppressing dissent in China [1] [2], and was used in the 2014 Umbrella protest [3].

[1]: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322488668_Thugs_and...

[2]: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/perspectives-on-poli...

[3]: https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/11/04/chinese-govt-need-hire...