Jimmy Lai's release on bail undermines authority of national security law in HKSAR: legal sector

National security office in HK should act decisively

Article 55 of the national security law in HKSAR stipulated that the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR shall exercise jurisdiction over crimes against national security.

Many Hong Kong legal professionals said that Lai's case was a complicated situation involving the intervention of foreign countries or foreign forces and the office shall act decisively and exercise jurisdiction.

Kennedy Wong Ying-ho said that judging from the remarks made by Lai and some Western politicians, foreign countires or foreign forces have colluded deeply with Lai and are trying their best to interfere in the trial of Lai's case.

Therefore, according to Article 55 of the national security law in HKSAR, it is necessary for the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR to exercise jurisdiction over the case.

Chairman of Hong Kong Legal Professionals Association Wong Kit-hin said that Lai's case was very special. Lai was a major anti-China offender and was involved in many cases. The decision of the High Court judge was likely to result in his jumping bail and escape punishment.

At this point, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR can intervene in the case. The function of the office is to handle such cases, Wong Kit-hin said.

Gu Minkang said that the success or failure of this case will determine whether the national security law in HKSAR has truly taken root in Hong Kong. Hong Kong people hope that Hong Kong's judiciary can truly safeguard national security and judge cases strictly in accordance with the law.

Symon Wong Yu-wing said that if Lai absconded, it will affect people's confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong, which is not conducive to a better future for Hong Kong. Therefore, the exercise of jurisdiction over this case by the office is of no delay.