Officers Probed Over Police Death Comments

Security Secretary Chris Tang on Wednesday said eight officers from the disciplined services face criminal investigations for allegedly mocking the death of a marine police senior inspector.

The eight were suspended from duty after apparently gloating over the death of Lam Yuen-yee, who was killed in an anti-smuggling operation at sea last month.

At a Legco meeting, legislator Tony Tse asked whether the government could look into introducing new legislation to ban people from such behaviour.

Tang said he had noted that after the death of the officer, some people made satirical remarks on the internet and posted songs suspected of expressing hatred towards the police.

"The government is deeply regretful and angry about these cold-blooded acts, which the whole of society should strongly condemn," he said.

Tang said eight officers from the disciplined services had been suspended from duty over comments made online regarding the marine inspector.

"We would assess whether any criminal offences were involved. If there is enough evidence, we could make arrests and lay prosecution. If no criminal offences were involved, we might proceed to disciplinary investigations into these officers," he said.

The security chief added that while there is no legislation in Hong Kong to outlaw hate speech, there are other laws in place that can deal with "inappropriate information" and sedition.