Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying walks out of Kowloon City Police Station after he was granted bail hours into his arrest in the city on Feb 28, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has refuted the allegation that its decisions to prosecute media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and two others were made under undue influence.

In a statement, the DoJ termed such allegation as wholly speculative and totally baseless, and stressed that it makes each prosecutorial decision based on evidence, applicable law and the Prosecution Code.

All cases will be handled in the same manner irrespective of the political beliefs, requests and background of the persons involved. 

Department of Justice, Hong Kong

Lai, an instigator of the Hong Kong riots, and two other Hong Kong residents were arrested on Friday by Hong Kong police and were charged with one count of "knowingly participating in unauthorized assembly." Lai was also charged with another count of "criminal intimidation."

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The DoJ said all its prosecutorial decisions are made without fear or favor and its prosecutors will not be influenced by any investigatory, political, media, community, or individual interest or representation.

"All cases will be handled in the same manner irrespective of the political beliefs, requests and background of the persons involved," it said.

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The DoJ of the HKSAR shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference, according to Article 63 of the Basic Law, said the statement.