The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government strongly condemned on Thursday recent attempts by some individuals overseas to exert improper pressure on non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal Patrick Anthony Keane.

A spokesman for the HKSAR government said in a statement that any attempt by any organization or individual to exert pressure on judges and judicial officers, and interfere with the criminal justice process, is clearly a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law in the city and should be vehemently condemned.

“Hong Kong's rule of law and independent judicial power are guaranteed under the Basic Law, which specifically provides that the judicial power, including that of final adjudication, vested with the HKSAR, is to be exercised by the Judiciary independently, free from any interference,” the statement reads.

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The government said it fully supported the Judiciary in exercising its judicial power independently, safeguarding the administration of justice and the rule of law in the SAR.

On Tuesday night, several individuals held a protest in Sydney near where Keane, a former justice of the High Court of Australia, had given a speech. 

One of the protesters reportedly approached Keane and asked if he knew former media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who is facing trial on charges of colluding with foreign forces under the National Security Law for Hong Kong and conspiring to publish seditious materials.  

Regarding Lai's case concerning the NSL, the HKSAR government pointed out that, since legal proceedings are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case or exert improper interference.

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The government emphasized that all cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law.

All defendants will receive a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, the HKSAR government added.