XN000022-1991-06-10 — Page 5

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1991

CASE OF LI QINGMING, LI BIN EXPLAINED

*

*

(MONDAY)

AND LI

IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE OF LI QINGMING BIN, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY

DREW ATTENTION TO THE COURT AND FACTS OF THE CASE AS DESCRIBED IN PROCEEDINGS OF THE HIGH THE COURT OF APPEAL IN MARCH 1990 AND JUNE 1990 RESPECTIVELY.

AS RECOUNTED IN COURT, THE COUPLE ENTERED HONG RONG ILLEGALLY ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1989. THEY FIRST CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE HONG KONG

DECEMBER 6, THREE AUTHORITIES ON

MONTHS

WHEN LATER,

THEY WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A POLICE OPERATION AGAINST A FORGED PASSPORT SYNDICATE.

IN

THE COUPLE SAID THEY WERE TRYING TO BUY FORGED THAI PASSPORTS. WHEN ARRESTED THRY HAD IN THEIR POSSESSION US$77,000 AND HK$28,000 CASH.

[N

ΤΟ

THE COUPLE SUBSEQUENTLY CLAIMED THAT THEY HAD BEEN INVOLVED

DURING THE RECENT POLITICAL PROTESTS IN CHINA

THE PERIOD APRIL JUNE 1989 AND THAT CONSEQUENTLY THEY FRARED THAT' THEY WOULD BE PERSECUTED FOR POLITICAL REASONS UPON BEING RETURNED TO CHINA.

IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW WERKS THIS CLAIM WAS THE SUBJECT OF DETAILED EXAMINATION AND SCRUTINY BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND SECURITY BRANCH OFFICIALS.

THAT

AS STATED IN COURT IT APPEARED TO THE OFFICIALS CONCERNED THERE WERE MATERIAL SHORTCOMINGS AND SUSPECTED FABRICATIONS IN THEIR ACCOUNT, MORE PARTICULARLY IN MR LI'S ACCOUNT OF HIS ALLEGED MEDICAL IN QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE, THE APPLICANTS' CLAIMED INVOLVEMENT

AND THE STUDENT MOVEMENT

PROTESTS, AND THEIR

ΤΟ FAILURE

ACCOUNT ADEQUATELY FOR THE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY IN THEIR POSSESSION.

FOLLOWING THE DISMISSAL OF THE COUPLE'S CASE

COURT OF APPEAL, THEY IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL, THE HIGH COURT AND THE DECIDED TO RETURN TO CHINA IN JULY 1990.

BY THE

USE OF WEAPONS IN CRIME A SERIOUS MATTER

IN RESPONSE To THE ROBBERY WHICH TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN KWUN TONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE USE OF WEAPONS IN THE COMMISSION OF ANY CRIME IS A SERIOUS MATTER.

" HE SAID: THE USE OF AN ASSAULT RIFLE IN THIS ROBBERY IS A MATTER OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.

IT IS A PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ALL STEPS POSSIBLE TO CURTAIL THE IMPORTATION AND USE OF WEAPONS. THIS IS PRIMARILY A MATTER FOR THE POLICE.

"IT IS ALSO A SUBJECT WHICH WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE WHO SHARE OUR OBJECTIVE OF PREVENTING THE IMPORTATION AND USE OF FIREARMS TO COMMIT CRIMES.

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