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I write to express my disappointment about the way in which you reported the Department of Justice's press release of October 3.
The headline ("Law chiefs knew of meddling by Berlusconi ally", October 4) and first paragraph of the article are clearly misleading and factually incorrect.
As clearly stated in our October 3 press release, the Department of Justice (DoJ) was only made aware that an approach had been made by Senator Sergio De Gregorio to Duncan Pescod inquiring about the progress of the execution of the letter of request.
In reply, the department responded that the matter was before the court in Hong Kong.
We have made it crystal clear in our press release that the DoJ had never been informed of any attempt to arrange any meeting between the former chief executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, and Pope Benedict.
We did not say, let alone admit, that there was any attempt to "interfere" in the transfer of evidence or that we were aware of such an attempt.
Accordingly, I cannot see how the headline or the first paragraph of your report can be justified.
For the same reason, the subhead alleging that "Justice minister Rimsky Yuen admits for the first time his department was aware of attempt to interfere in transfer of evidence in fraud case" is therefore absolutely not correct and plainly misleading.
As already pointed out in the press release, the e-mail sent to the DoJ by Mr Pescod in 2007, which is the only communication with the DoJ on this matter, only made an inquiry on the case's progress.
We have never made any such admission of knowledge of any "attempt" or "interference" whatsoever.
On the contrary, as stated in our press release, the DoJ only received an e-mail asking for advice as to how to respond to an inquiry.
Last but not least, I reiterate that the DoJ acted strictly in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong in the handling of the letter of request from Italy and the entire process has never been compromised in any way.
Rimsky Yuen, SC, secretary for justice 


Department of Justice acted correctly

Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung. Photo: David Wong

Hong Kong law chiefs knew of meddling by Berlusconi ally 

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (left) and ex-senator Sergio de Gregorio (right) share the stage at a convention in Italy in 2008. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Letters

I write to express my disappointment about the way in which you reported the Department of Justice's press release of October 3.


Department of Justice acted correctly

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}I write to express my disappointment about the way in which you reported the Department of Justice's press release of October 3.

I write to express my disappointment about the way in which you reported the Department of Justice's press release of October 3.