Police appeal to public to stay vigilant against seditious rumours on Internet
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Police expressed grave concern over the recent spreading of online rumours to mourn for the so-called "831 incident", inciting others to adopt "soft resistance" or take relevant actions some time around today.
The spokesperson for Police reiterated that the so-called "831 incident" has been proven a fabrication. It was a lie manipulated by people with ulterior motives to attack the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and smear the Police Force, attempting to achieve their political objectives by breaching public peace. Police must discharge their duties in accordance with the law to safeguard the society, and disrupters’ plots are doomed to fail.
The spokesperson for Police stressed that any persons who take part in an unauthorised assembly may commit the offence of “taking part in an unauthorised assembly” under the Public Order Ordinance, and on conviction, shall be liable to a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment; while advertising or publicising an unauthorised assembly shall be liable to a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment.
He also stressed that the Internet is not an unreal world that is beyond the law. As far as the existing legislation in Hong Kong is concerned, most of the crime-prevention laws in the real world are applicable to the online world. Therefore, the public should use the Internet lawfully and properly.
Police will continue to step up patrols and enhance intelligence-gathering, closely monitor the situation of various districts and strive to prevent and combat crimes.
It must be emphasised that Police will take resolute enforcement actions, including making arrest against any illegal acts. No one should defy the law.
Ends/Thursday, August 31, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:31
Issued at HKT 19:31
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