Tougher security measures for Hong Kong courts including enhanced mail inspection, extra police support after judges sent threatening letters

Hongkong Post will inspect all mail addressed to court buildings before delivery as part of stepped-up security measures, the judiciary has revealed as it expressed grave concern over a spate of attempts to intimidate judges.

The enhanced system was revealed as the postal service’s Cheung Sha Wan delivery office on Wednesday afternoon intercepted another suspicious letter from Taiwan containing what appeared to be meat that was bound for West Kowloon Court.

Before the latest incident, at least four judges based in various city courts had received threatening mail from Taiwan over the past two weeks, some containing highly corrosive substances.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the judiciary said Hongkong Post had been asked to screen all items addressed to court buildings, so any suspicious pieces of mail could be reported to police before delivery.

Designated outdoor checkpoints for post would also be set up outside court buildings to minimise the impact on court security and operations if any suspicious items slipped through the net.

Police support for court buildings would also be enhanced, while court staff and security personnel would be reminded to stay vigilant to ensure a timely response to any incidents, the judiciary said.

The jurists recently subjected to intimidation attempts had jailed anti-government protesters over the past few months, along with other rulings unrelated to the demonstrations.