HONG KONG – The Department of Justice on Thursday warned that sending threatening letters to members of the judiciary will never be tolerated.

In a statement issued on Thursday night, the DOJ said that Article 85 of the Basic Law clearly states that the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

“The HKSAR government reiterated that intimidation against judges, who are performing judicial duties, will never be tolerated,” the statement reads.

“Such illegal acts not only disregard the law but also undermine the rule of law. Police will follow up on the matter seriously,” it added.

The DOJ issued the statement after the West Kowloon Law Courts Building in Cheung Sha Wan received a threatening letter on Thursday afternoon.

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The DOJ warned that, under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who threatens any other person with injury shall be guilty and liable on conviction upon indictment to imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public should not break the law, it added.