In this file photo taken on June 30, 2017, Joshua Wong Chi-fung (front) speaks during an interview in front of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government headquarters in Hong Kong, south China. Photo: Xinhua

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday strongly condemned and opposed some Western countries, anti-China organizations and anti-China politicians, for making erroneous slanders and smears on the case of Joshua Wong Chi-fung involving the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and the HKSAR's work on safeguarding national security, totally disregarding the spirit of the rule of law.

On June 6, the Hong Kong Police Force's national security department arrested a 28-year-old man in Stanley for suspected "conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security," according to an official statement on the HKSAR Government's website.

According to multiple Hong Kong media reports, the arrested man is Joshua Wong Chi-fung, an anti-China separatist who was taken into custody again while already serving a prison sentence.

"As the legal proceedings of the case involving Joshua Wong Chi-fung are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case. The HKSAR Government strongly urges these Western countries, anti-China organizations and anti-China politicians to immediately stop interfering in the HKSAR's internal affairs and the independent exercise of judicial power by the courts of the HKSAR," a spokesman for the HKSAR Government said.

The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offense will receive fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong (including the HKNSL) and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or backgrounds of the persons involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offense before a defendant may be convicted by the court, according to the government.

"We are appalled by irresponsible remarks of some countries, organizations or individuals that seemed to suggest that people with certain political beliefs should be immune to legal sanctions, or even call for release of suspects who have been arrested by the HKSAR law enforcement agencies in accordance with the law," the spokesperson said.

The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems," the spokesperson noted.

Global Times