Press Release

 

 

Internal Investigation Report Ready

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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary :

The Hon Chief Justice Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li today (Thursday) received the internal investigation report from the Acting Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Li Hon-leung.

The investigation was in connection with the security measures put up by the police regarding the open hearing of a Tsuen Wan Magistracy case (TWCC2182/2000). It was alleged that members of the media were refused access to the court.

The report confirmed that the Judiciary had not at any stage authorised the locking of the court room or the refusal of entry to any member of the public or the media. The Judiciary noted that in their press release yesterday the Police had publicly accepted responsibility for this incident and had apologised.

The report suggested that communication between the Judiciary and the Police be strengthened in the future to avoid similar incidents from happening again.

The Judiciary Administrator, Mr Wilfred Tsui Chi-keung had separately sent a letter to the Director of Operations, Hong Kong Police, Mr Lee Ming-kwai reinterating that the fundamental principle of open justice must be upheld at all times, and no security arrangements should be made in such a way as to inhibit the access by members of the public and the media to the courts.

End/Thursday, July 27, 2000

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