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The Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, and the Minister for Public Administration and Housing of the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr Stefan Attefall, today (November 28) signed a bilateral agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLA) in Central Government Offices on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Kingdom of Sweden respectively.
"The signing of the agreement today marks a further step by both governments to strengthen co-operation on criminal matters. It also demonstrates our shared commitment to the international effort in fighting crimes," Mr Lai said at the signing ceremony.
"The signing of this agreement also accentuates Hong Kong's unique strengths under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle," Mr Lai added.
Under the Basic Law, the HKSAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People's Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.
The MLA Agreement with the Kingdom of Sweden is the 30th agreement of its kind between the HKSAR and other jurisdictions.
The MLA Agreement
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The MLA Agreement with the Kingdom of Sweden contains all the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes:
(a) identifying and locating persons;
(b) service of documents;
(c) taking the testimony or statements of persons;
(d) executing requests for search and seizure;
(e) facilitating the personal appearance of persons to give testimony or to provide other assistance in the Requesting Party;
(f) effecting the temporary transfer of persons in custody to give testimony or to provide other assistance;
(g) providing information, documents, objects and records, and transfer of exhibits;
(h) tracing, restraining, forfeiting and confiscating the proceeds of crime and instrumentalities of criminal activities;
(i) restitution of property; and
(j) other assistance consistent with the objects of the agreement which is not inconsistent with the law of the Requested Party.
The other 29 jurisdictions that already have MLA Agreements with the HKSAR are Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Ends/Thursday, November 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:55
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