REPORTERS were barred from a court hearing at the Hong Kong Sanatorium yesterday after the defendant said he did not want the press present.
A nurse was the only member of the public at the proceedings, which involved businessman Chong Tsoi-jiun, accused of conspiring to defraud the Government in a $60 million tax fraud.
Chong, who is recovering from spine surgery, was too ill to attend court.
Magistrate James Lee said: 'The hospital explained it was not convenient for too many people to be permitted into the ward and this would disturb the patient.
'The patient also did not want the press to come in.' But both he and the defence said the 20-minute hearing was 'absolutely' held in open court.
The Judiciary refused to comment on Mr Lee's decision. A spokesman said: 'We'll not comment on a decision by a magistrate. Also, now, we have no information on the real situation at hospital [yesterday] afternoon.' A magistrate had discretionary powers to decide on whether a case could be held in the absence of the press, she said.
Mr Lee did not respond to questions from reporters as to which ordinance gave a defendant the right to ask for the press to be kept out of a hearing.
