Court of First Instance hands down sentence in case concerning terrorism-related offences

     The Court of First Instance of the High Court today (November 14) handed down the sentence in a case concerning terrorism-related offences (commonly known as the "Dragon Slaying Brigade" case) involving such offences as "conspiracy to commit bombing of prescribed object" and "conspiracy to provide or collect property to commit terrorist acts" under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance, "conspiracy to commit murder" under the Offences against the Person Ordinance, "conspiracy to cause explosions of a nature likely to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property" under the Crimes Ordinance, "possession of arms and ammunition with intent to endanger life" under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, etc. The ringleader of the case was sentenced to imprisonment for 23 years and 10 months, and other key persons of the case were sentenced to imprisonment for 10 years or above.
      
     The fact that the defendants were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment demonstrates that any person intending to plan and commit terrorist activities, endanger public security or disrupt society tranquillity can never escape sanctions of the law. Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. People who break the law must face legal sanctions for their malicious acts. The Department of Justice will study the reasons for sentencing in detail and consider whether a review application to the Court of Appeal regarding sentence[s] will be filed.
      
     When handing down the sentence, the Judge clearly pointed out that the defendants of the case aimed at killing police officers, creating social panic, and subverting the Government. The case, which was very vicious, involved premeditated luring police officers out in order to kill them, and it would also cause damage to property.
      
     A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government spokesperson said, "The facts admitted by the defendants indicate that the case involved plans of extreme terrorist violence and gruesome attacks. The circumstances of the case were very serious, in which real guns and explosives were involved. Had it not been for the crackdown on the gang by the Police in time, there would have been heavy casualties. Anyone who commits such nefarious terrorist acts can never escape sanctions of the law, and such malicious acts will surely be duly punished.
      
     "Both the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) stipulate offences related to terrorist activities and sabotage endangering national security, and other offences endangering national security, some of which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In case there are similar cases in future, the HKSAR Government will apply the enhanced laws relating to the safeguarding of national security, including the HKNSL and SNSO, in law enforcement and prosecution in sanctioning criminals. Anyone who advocates terrorism, including glorifying or financing terrorist acts, also commits an offence. The HKSAR Government hereby gives a solemn warning to those terrorists and criminals who recklessly attempt to endanger national security or Hong Kong's public security that they should not defy the law in the hope that they may not be caught."