HONG KONG, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam on Friday expressed deep regret and strong objection to the reported granting of asylum by Germany to two Hong Kong residents who jumped bail to flee Hong Kong while awaiting trial on serious charges.

Lam made the remarks at a meeting with Germany's Acting Consul General to Hong Kong David Schmidt at the Chief Executive's Office, and asked Schmidt to convey her deep regrets and strong objections to the relevant German authorities, according to a press release from the Chief Executive's Office.

Lam stressed that the HKSAR's rule of law, law enforcement agencies and judicial independence have long been held in high regard by local and international communities.

Anyone accused of breaching the law in Hong Kong would face an open and fair trial, she said, adding that the reported granting of asylum to the two bail jumpers by Germany had unjustifiably undermined Hong Kong's international reputation in the rule of law and judicial independence.

The chief executive expressed doubts as to whether the German authorities' decision had been based on the facts.

The two men are facing serious charges including riot and assaulting police in relation to the 2016 Mong Kok riot, which had seriously jeopardized public order and safety, resulted in injuries to more than 80 police officers and unsettled many people in Hong Kong.

Lam pointed out that given Germany's long-standing diplomatic presence in Hong Kong, such facts, which were on the public record and easily available, should have been duly taken into account by German authorities in determining the truth and voracity of any asylum claim.

She said she was dismayed that apparently such a basic assessment of facts had not been made. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)