Police Defend Seeking Protest Trial Gag Order

The police have confirmed that some officers have applied for permission to keep their identities secret when giving evidence in protest-related court cases.

But officers denied taking advantage of a system intended to keep victims in sex cases anonymous.

Several journalists' groups on Friday condemned the practice, saying it restricted their ability to report court cases.

The organisations, which included the Hong Kong Journalists Association, said in a joint statement that such steps should be of concern to all Hong Kong people who value press freedom.

But Senior Superintendent Steve Li from the organised crime and triad bureau told a regular press conference that police officers could be victims, too.

He said personal details of some of the officers have been made public through online and some have received threats also.

Li said they were not seeking blanket protection and will decide this on a case-by-case basis.