2nd February 2021 – (Hong Kong) Since the implementation of the “National Security Law” on 30th June last year in Hong Kong, a total of 97 people were arrested in violation of the law until 1st February this year, of which only 8 were prosecuted, including Jimmy Lai. Legislative Councillor Elizabeth Quat criticised that the Department of Justice for its lack of progress in prosecuting offenders. More than 10,000 people have been arrested to-date and the prosecution rate is less than one quarter.
It is believed that the Attorney General should step up its efforts to crack down on those who sabotaged national security and eliminate criminal violence in order to maintain Hong Kong’s law and order. The Commissioner of Police, Chris Tang, said today (2nd) that since the establishment of the National Security Service hotline, the police have received about 40,000 messages and the police will investigate useful information before making arrests. He also pointed out that the National Security Law case is complicated, including cases involving the arrest of more than 50 people who participated in the primary elections of the pro-democracy faction. It takes time to investigate and collect evidence. He disagrees that the National Security Law is a form of “white terror” and emphasised that the police acted on evidence and the law.
