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Responding to media enquiries on the judgment of the Court of Appeal in HKSAR v A male known as Boma Amaso (CACC 335/2010) today (February 1), the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Kevin Zervos, SC, said it was an important judgment providing guidance as to what should be taken into account when considering sentences for money laundering offences.
"We welcome the judgment by the Court of Appeal. It is in the interests of justice that cases are prosecuted in the right venue where an appropriate penalty can be imposed.
"The judgment has given useful guidance in relation to the sentences for money laundering offences. It is in the public interest that money laundering be appropriately dealt with by the criminal justice system in order to punish offenders and deter would-be offenders, and to deny the encouragement and nourishment it gives to crime in general.
"The decision will be studied and the guiding principles will be followed by the Prosecutions Division," he said.
"The judgment also provides valuable assistance and guidance to the current discussions we are having with the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong on the criteria for the selection of trial venue," Mr Zervos added.
Ends/Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:27
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