Hong Kong judge gives speech from bench decrying harassment faced by him and his colleagues

Speaking at end of day’s proceedings in protest-related trial, Judge Stanley Chan says ‘heaven is watching’ those behind harassing phone calls, faxes

In statement, Department of Justice warns against seeking to ‘exert influence over court proceedings through despicable means’

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A District Court judge on Thursday gave a speech from the bench condemning judicial harassment. Photo: Warton Li

Published: 10:07pm, 8 Jul 2021Updated: 6:42pm, 9 Jul 2021

A Hong Kong judge on Thursday concluded a day of proceedings in a trial he was presiding over with a speech decrying the extent to which he and his colleagues were harassed, capping it off with a stern warning to anyone who interfered with the operations of the judiciary.

Speaking from the bench, where he had been hearing a case stemming from the 2019 anti-government protests, judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi of the District Court said he had been receiving many nuisance phone calls and faxes of late, and that other judges had found themselves with the same problem.

“Heaven is watching whoever is doing it,” Chan said, condemning the irritating tactics without elaborating on the content of the calls and messages.

Judge Stanley Chan, of the District Court. Photo: Handout

Warning that the harassment could amount to a string of offences, including contempt of court, Chan urged law enforcement to “step up” their game and bring the perpetrators to justice.

He also called on lawyers, legal scholars and “right-minded people” to speak up for the judiciary.

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