Hong Kong’s prosecuting authorities dropped charges against Lee Chien-cheng due to lack of evidence
Hong Kong’s prosecuting authorities dropped charges against Lee Chien-cheng, a senior at the National Taiwan University’s (NTU) Department of Political Science during the fourth trial hearing of the case at the Hong Kong court at 2:30 p.m. today (January 11, 2006) due to lack of incriminatory evidence. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) expresses its satisfaction with the Hong Kong’s judicial authorities for their appropriate handling of the case, which proved Lee’s innocence. The MAC also expresses regret and dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong police for arresting Lee without prior investigation. The MAC is especially grateful to several Hong Kong’s barristers and solicitors who have provided their assistance in this case over the past several weeks, as well as to those in Hong Kong and at NTU who have given assistance and shown concern. The MAC reiterates that the government will continue to exert all efforts to protect the rights and interests of Taiwanese people in Hong Kong in the future.
The MAC indicated that Lee was originally charged for "unauthorized assembly" by Hong Kong’s prosecuting authorities. But the case was withdrawn due to the lack of evidence. Lee and his father will return to Taiwan accompanied by MAC officials. In addition to Lee’s case, the charges against 10 out of 13 other defendants of various nationalities have also been withdrawn. The other three foreign defendants are still being prosecuted for "unauthorized assembly."
The MAC states that upon learning of Lee’s arrest, it formed a task force immediately to provide full assistance for his release. Besides arranging for Lee's father to visit him, MAC also instructed its Bureau of Hong Kong Affairs to send officials to visit Lee at least once or twice per day when Lee was held in detention. The MAC also requested a lawyer to visit Lee and provide necessary legal assistance. At the second trial hearing on December 23, 2005, MAC and the Bureau of Hong Kong Affairs provided full assistance in coordination with Lee’s lawyers. The MAC also requested highly respected citizens to serve as Lee’s guarantors to facilitate his release on bail, and allow him to return to Taiwan to continue his studies. The MAC would like to thank the lawyers in Hong Kong and the public for providing generous assistance in the successful resolution of this case. In addition, MAC would especially like to thank NTU for its continual assistance in the handling of related affairs. The MAC reiterates that in the future it will devote all efforts to protect the rights and interests of the Taiwanese people in Hong Kong.