Two men have been arrested in Hong Kong in connection with a nine-year-old gay sex video featuring police uniforms.

The suspects, aged 40 and 45, were arrested in a Yuen Long apartment on Monday (11 May), where police seized equipment including a walkie-talkie, handcuffs, a BB gun, and an extendable baton.

According to the English-language Hong Kong newspaper The Standard, the men were being detained for questioning as of Tuesday 12 May, accused of unauthorised use of police uniforms, distributing obscene articles, possessing false instruments, handling stolen goods, and possessing offensive weapons.

"Liable to a 14-year imprisonment"

Cybersecurity and technology crime bureau senior inspector Lau Chun-yu is quoted by the publication as saying: "Anyone in possession of offensive weapons, such as handcuffs, could have breached section 17 of the Summary Offences Ordinance and is liable to a two-year imprisonment."

He added: "Anyone in possession of false instruments, such as fake police warrant cards, could have breached section 75 of the Crimes Ordinance and is liable to a 14-year imprisonment."

The outlet adds that none of the suspects are police officers and that the videos were made to satisfy the suspects' 'abnormal taste for sex.'

The 10-second video dates back to 2012. Police say only one of the two suspects appears in the video, which went viral on social media in Hong Kong this year. Three men appear in it in total.

The news follows reports in January of police investigating a gay sex video filmed on the city's MTR transport network.

Female homosexuality has always been legal in Hong Kong, while male homosexuality has been legal since 1991. However, Hong Kong offers no employment discrimination protections for LGBTQs. Same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognised in the region.