DoJ Denies Fabricated Allegations Against New Director of Public Prosecutions, Vows Legal Action Against Rumor Spreaders.

DoJ responds to media enquiries

In response to media enquiries concerning a social media post circulating online that involves the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued the following statement today (May 23):

The DoJ has noticed that serious allegations involving the newly appointed Director of Public Prosecutions and another DoJ officer have been widely circulating online. The DoJ had earlier conducted a rigorous investigation into an anonymous complaint containing relevant content in accordance with the established procedures, and is confident that the allegations are completely without factual basis, entirely fabricated, and constitute malicious smearing.

It is ill-intentioned for someone to maliciously spread rumours online following the appointment of the new Director of Public Prosecutions, and to deliberately smear dedicated prosecutors who perform duties in safeguarding national security.

The DoJ is highly concerned about and strongly condemns such despicable behaviour of spreading false allegations, which is intended to defame public officers, the Prosecutions Division of the DoJ, and even the reputation of the entire department. The public should not be misled by these unfounded allegations, or become a party to spread the rumors. The DoJ has referred the incident to the law enforcement agencies for further investigation and corresponding actions to severely punish lawbreakers in accordance with the law.

The DoJ reiterated that it always attaches great importance to the integrity and professional conduct of its officers. All DoJ personnel, regardless of their ranks or duties, perform their responsibilities with the highest standards of professional excellence and ethics. As always, the DoJ will continue to provide professional legal services to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in accordance with the law.

Source: AI-found images

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 29 days of imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 58-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 22) and seized 1 981 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $8,100, and the duty potential was about $6,500. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases