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In response to media enquiries about the judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal today (May 10) on appeals against the decision of the Court of First Instance on a judicial review case concerning the current regime of interception of communications and covert surveillance, a spokesman for the Security Bureau said the Government welcomed the judgment in respect of the temporary validity of the present regime.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the Applicants' appeals and the Government's cross-appeal against the earlier decisions of the Court of First Instance.
"We are studying the court's judgment on our appeal regarding the Law Enforcement (Covert Surveillance Procedures) Order in detail in consultation with the Department of Justice," the spokesman said.
"We are working closely with the Legislative Council to scrutinise the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Bill. The judgment would in no way affect our aim to have the Bill enacted by the end of this legislative session," he said.
Ends/Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:26
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