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In response to the sentences passed on Hong Kong residents Su Zhiyi and his wife, Kam Shuk Yee, by the Zhaoqing Municipal Intermediate People's Court today (June 9), the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, noted that the couple stood trial in the Mainland in accordance with provisions under the Criminal Laws and Criminal Procedure Laws of the People's Republic of China. In line with the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) should not interfere with the independence of the Mainland judicial system.
Speaking to reporters this evening on her return to Hong Kong after a two-day trip to Guangzhou, Mrs Ip said there was established avenue for the couple to appeal under Mainland laws.
"They could instruct their lawyer to lodge an application if they consider that there are grounds to appeal against the judgment and sentence. As far as we know, they should lodge their appeal within 10 days," she said.
"If, in connection with the judgment or legal procedures of the case, the couple or their family members wish to seek the assistance of the HKSARG in conveying their requests to the relevant Mainland authorities, we would be most willing to help, just as we have been doing so all the while for their daugher, Miss So Suet," she continued.
Regarding the allegation that evidence produced in the Zhaoqing court hearing was obtained during a raid of Su's flat in North Point in 1995 by Mainland law enforcement officers, who had no right to exercise jurisdiction in Hong Kong, she understood that the defendants had raised it in their defence with the presiding court.
The Secretary for Security disclosed that during her Guangzhou visit, she had raised the Su Zhiyi case for discussion with the Guangdong Public Security Bureau (PSB), the Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate and the Provincial People's Court. The PSB had reassured her that Police co-operation had been, and would be, undertaken in accordance with the established procedure, which had proved to be effective. There was no need for Mainland public security officials to exercise their jurisdiction in Hong Kong. They reiterated their respect for the HKSAR's jurisdiction and that their law enforcement officers would be strictly forbidden to undertake any law enforcement actions in Hong Kong.
Details of the outcome of their investigation into the allegation of Mainland officials exercising their jurisdiction in Hong Kong would be provided to the Hong Kong Police shortly.
End/Friday, June 9, 2000
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