'Prosecutors Hit Out At Teresa Cheng In Letter'

A group of prosecutors have rounded on their boss, the Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng, accusing her of making prosecution decisions based on political factors. The anonymous open letter comes after 44 people were charged with rioting over Sunday's violent anti-extradition protests in Sheung Wan.

Members of the group didn't name themselves but used paper with the Department of Justice's letterhead.

The open letter says there are two principles for pursuing a criminal case: a reasonable chance of conviction and whether it meets public interest.

However, it accuses Cheng and the director of public prosecutions, David Leung, of forgetting these principles and treating them as worthless.

Sources say at least five prosecutors signed the letter, including senior members of the department.

The group also states its support for an independent investigation of the crisis sparked by the government's extradition bill, in particular the indiscriminate mob attacks in Yuen Long two Sundays ago.