As a matter of general policy, the ICAC will not comment on individual cases. However, in the past two days, some newspapers, in their reports on the suicide of a police officer, carried totally unfounded and yet very serious allegations against the ICAC , in particular the allegation that the ICAC had used improper tactics to threaten people involved in its investigations. This allegation was mere fabrication.

After careful consideration, the ICAC has decided to clarify certain issues to prevent the public from being misled by such reports.

First, the ICAC conducts its investigations in accordance with the law at all times. Evidence is only collected for the purpose of investigating the alleged corruption offences or other related crimes. There is no question of the ICAC gathering informat ion of an individual's private life for the sake of using it to threaten them.

In the case concerned, the police officer had requested the ICAC to return a full set of copies of all documents seized from his office. He also authorized his wife to handle all dealings with the ICAC on his behalf.

Upon the officer's request and in accordance with its standing procedures, the ICAC in mid-March this year returned copies of the seized documents to his wife who was authorised by the officer to deal with the ICAC. After checking and signing for the rec eipt of two boxes of the relevant documents, his wife left ICAC premises. No ICAC officer had discussed with her any of these seized documents.

Lastly, we wish to reiterate that the ICAC always adheres to the law in conducting its investigative work, and has every respect for the legal rights of people involved in its investigations. The ICAC deeply regrets those groundless allegations accusing the Commission of using improper tactics, which have been maliciously spread through the media in the past few days.