S for S speaks on proposed amendments to Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance

       Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending an event this afternoon (March 5):
 
Reporter: What would the Government do if Taiwan refuses to sign an agreement (on the Taiwan homicide case) because of political concerns? Do you have any back-up plan?
 
Secretary for Security: First of all, the Taiwan side has already made their request for legal assistance and to handover the suspect to them, so that they will deal with him in accordance with their law. They have already made their request. We have also started to contact them, so that we can talk about this matter. It is important to highlight that in regard to our dealing with any request from any jurisdiction, we will handle it with mutual respect based on the case merits, so as to ensure the fugitives, the people who have committed serious crime, will face justice. So I trust that our two sides will work on the case based on the case merits, so as to ensure that justice is done not just in this case, but justice is done for the whole good of the community. Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)