Statement by the Department of Justice

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In response to an incident in which a Senior Public Prosecutor was surrounded and verbally abused after a hearing at the High Court last Friday, a spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) today (September 30) stressed that such behaviour should not be tolerated. While prosecutors are not immune from criticisms, they should not become victims of such unwarranted abuses. Prosecutors conduct criminal prosecutions not because of their personal interests, they do so on behalf of the public as "ministers of justice"; any arbitrary attack on our prosecutorial work would undermine our rule of law.

In respect of prosecutorial decision in every case, the DoJ must make an objective and professional assessment of the available evidence and applicable law, focusing on the acts of the offenders, irrespective of any political beliefs or background of the persons involved. There is no political consideration. We have all along been discharging prosecutorial duties fairly and without prejudice or favour. Our prosecutors will continue to uphold the above principle professionally and independently in the pursuit of justice.

Ends/Monday, September 30, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:25

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