Hong Kong's Office of the Telecommunications Authority has mounted an enforcement operation against the Citizens' Radio which is suspected of using illegal radio transmitters for broadcasting.

"Under the authority of court warrant, OFTA officers entered the premises in Chai Wan and seized one set of radio transmitter. During the operation, three persons were also requested for assisting further investigation," a spokesperson for OFTA stated in a press release about the action last week.

"It is unlawful for any person to establish or maintain any means of telecommunications without an appropriate licence under the Telecommunications Ordinance. The judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal on 12 December upheld that the relevant offence provisions are constitutional. Any person who engages in such illegal activity would contravene section 8(1) of the TO and is liable to prosecution. The offender is liable to a maximum penalty of HKD100,000 fine and five years' imprisonment upon conviction," the spokesperson concluded.

OFTA says illegal radio broadcasting is liable to cause harmful interference to other legitimate service providers and users. OFTA will continue to enforce the law to ensure proper management of radio spectrum which is a valuable public resource.