John Lee accused of interfering with local courts

Security chief John Lee appears on state-run CCTV for an interview.

The Secretary for Security, John Lee, has been slammed for interfering with the judiciary for saying in a television interview that it is “crucial” for local courts to come up with “directional and authoritative” rulings in order to help the society distinguish the right from the wrong.



In a five-minute interview with state-run CCTV, Lee said he agrees with President Xi Jinping that Hong Kong’s most pressing mission is to stamp out violence and restore public order after months of unrest.



He said over 4,000 people have been arrested since the anti-government protests broke out in June, and it is important for local courts to come up with some important verdicts to help people understand what’s accepted and what’s not in society.



But his comment came under fierce criticism from Democratic Party lawmaker James To, who questioned if Lee was trying to impose undue pressure on the judiciary by accusing local courts of failing to help people distinguish the right from the wrong.



In a statement, To said there is a sentencing level for all types of criminal offences, and that Hong Kong courts have made numerous rulings on a wide range of different criminal cases.



The veteran democrat added that courts must be allowed to make their decisions independently without interference, adding that they will met out deterrent sentences if they see necessary.