HKSAR Govt firmly opposes, strongly condemns joint statement by four former US Consuls General to HK on Lai Chee-ying's case

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government on February 8 firmly opposed and strongly condemned a joint statement by four former Consuls General of the United States of America (US) to Hong Kong in relation to a case involving Lai Chee-ying, and the US Consulate General in Hong Kong for posting the relevant statement.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "Any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power, media or any other means, thereby resulting in a defendant not being able to have a fair trial that one should receive, is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong. Making a statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice."

The spokesman stressed, "The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law."

The HKSAR Government strongly urged the US and the former Consuls General to discern facts from fallacies, and immediately stop interfering in the HKSAR's internal affairs and the HKSAR courts' independent exercise of judicial power.