A Vietnamese boat person who allegedly held hostage a prison officer in the High Island detention centre denied a charge of false imprisonment yesterday.
Le Truong Thanh, 21, was accused of detaining Correctional Services Department officer Suen Yuk-lun, 32, on March 6.
The District Court heard Thanh falsely imprisoned and injured the officer in the main passage between the north and south camps of the detention centre in Sai Kung. In the past, the Government was believed to be reluctant to press charges against Vietnamese involved in breakouts because they may receive jail sentences which extend beyond the handover.
A spokesman from the Correctional Services Officers' Association, Yum Pui, welcomed the decision to prosecute the case. 'It proved the Attorney-General has kept his promise. If someone had done something wrong, they must be punished,' Mr Yum said.
The police said the victim had bone fractures in his right hand and had to be hospitalised for two days.
He needed further treatment after being discharged from hospital.
