This June 18, 2019 photo shows the Wan Chai Tower in Hong Kong, where the District Court is located. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s government will not tolerate illegal acts which disregard the law and undermine the rule of law, the Department of Justice said in response to the criminal intimidation against a judge in the financial hub.
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In its statement issued late Friday, the department said that a judge, in exercising judicial power, is required to handle cases strictly in accordance with the law and evidence.
Article 85 of the Basic Law also stipulates that the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.
The government will take resolute action regarding the intimidation of a judge while performing judicial duties and police are following up on the case, according to the statement.
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Under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who threatens any other person with injury to him or her shall be guilty and liable to imprisonment of five years.