HONG KONG – The Department of Justice on Wednesday said that the arrangement of a non-jury trial of a national security case "does not undermine any legitimate rights and interests of the defendants”.
The DoJ does not comment on individual cases that are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, a DoJ spokesman said in a statement while responding to media enquiries on matters related to a case under the National Security Law (NSL).
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"One of the most fundamental principles of the criminal justice system in Hong Kong is to ensure a fair trial and uphold due administration of justice," said the spokesman.
While considering whether to issue a certificate under Article 46 of the NSL for a case to be tried without a jury, the secretary for justice would take into account the relevant provisions of the law and the individual circumstances of each case, said the spokesman.
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"The purpose of the relevant provisions that stipulate the arrangement for a case to be tried by a panel of three judges is precisely to ensure a fair trial and the due administration of justice.”