The Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC's) handling of a case involving an alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice was done in accordance with the law, said Operations Review Committee Chairman Andrew Chuang.

Speaking in Hong Kong on Wednesday after the committee's special meeting, Chuang said the committee members had carefully studied the incident and most of them had found that the ICAC's action had been proper and that press freedom had been respected.

The committee refrained from making further comments owing to impending legal proceedings.

ICAC sparked criticism after raiding seven local newspapers over the weekend. The papers had published the name of a protected witness, which is illegal in Hong Kong except under special circumstances.

Acting Commissioner Daniel Li reiterated that the ICAC had a duty to investigate the matter and the operation was conducted according to law.

He said investigators struck a balance between press freedom and the administration of public justice.

"As the case is still under investigation, and legal proceedings have already commenced on one of the issues, I hope the public will appreciate that we have difficulties at the moment in disclosing the details of the case," he said.

The commission will meet with various media groups in the coming days.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2004)