Intimidation against judicial officers intolerable

     In response to the threatening letter against a judicial officer, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued the following statement today (November 11):

     Article 85 of the Basic Law clearly states that the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. Judges should handle cases in accordance with law and evidence. The HKSAR Government reiterated that intimidation against judges, who are performing judicial duties, will never be tolerated. Such illegal acts not only disregard the law but also undermine the rule of law. Police will follow up on the matter seriously.

     The DoJ warned that, under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who threatens any other person with injury to him/her shall be guilty and liable on conviction upon indictment to imprisonment for five years. Members of the public should not break the law.