Legal Groups Condemn High Court Intimidation

Hong Kong's two main legal groups on Wednesday underlined that the judiciary must be free from interference, a day after the police explosives squad was called in to deal with a suspicious parcel sent to the High Court.

"Any violence or threat against the judiciary is unacceptable and intolerable in a civilised society governed by the rule of law," said the Bar Association in a statement.

The president of the Law Society, CM Chan, meanwhile, said he condemned all acts of intimidation against the judiciary.

The police were investigating after a parcel containing unknown powder was sent to the High Court on Tuesday.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau was deployed to handle it.

No one was hurt.

Chan said all parties should respect the rule of law and safeguard the dignity of the court. He pointed out that the Basic Law provides that the judiciary shall operate free from interference.

The Bar Association noted that judges must be absolutely free to carry out their judicial duties without any interference, fear or favour.