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Clarification of work undertaken by DoJ concerning the Lamma Island Incident of October 1, 2012
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     Recent media reports have touched on a meeting between the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the victims or their family members of the collision of vessels near Lamma Island on October 1, 2012 (the Incident). It has come to the attention of the DoJ that certain matters as reported in the media are not correct. In view of the community's interest in the matter and to avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding, the spokesman of the DoJ today (October 8) clarifies as follows:

1. On September 7, 2013, the Secretary for Justice (SJ) (Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC), the then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) (Mr Kevin Zervos, SC), the then DPP designate (Mr Keith Yeung, SC), together with other colleagues of the DoJ as well as representatives of the Police, had a meeting with around 35 victims or their family members of the Incident.

2. During this meeting, which lasted for around one and a half hours, the SJ explained to the participants at the meeting the role of the DoJ and outlined the progress of the work undertaken by the DoJ in respect of the Incident.

3. Apart from discussing other matters, the SJ informed the participants at the meeting that the (then) DPP had made contact with the Police concerning criminal investigation of the Incident. The SJ stressed that, although he was not at liberty to disclose details of the criminal investigation (such as the identities of the persons being investigated) as the investigation was yet to be completed, he assured them that the DoJ would deal with the criminal investigation and further prosecutions (if any) in a fair and impartial manner, irrespective of whether the persons investigated are government officials and irrespective of their positions.

     The DoJ spokesman added, as stressed at the above-mentioned meeting, that the SJ has at all times paid attention to the criminal investigation of the Incident. The DoJ will continue to keep in close contact with the Police on matters concerning the ongoing criminal investigation and will render advice as and when necessary, so as to ensure that such criminal liability (if any) as may be found to have arisen from the Incident will be properly and justly dealt with strictly in accordance with the law and the Prosecution Code.

Ends/Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:22

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