The Office of the Telecommunications Authority is  investigating the suspected use of unlicensed radio-transmission equipment by Citizens' Radio following an unlicensed radio transmission, at 102.8 MHz.

The radio transmission mainly relayed the voice contents of an open forum held by Citizens' Radio in Mong Kok tonight.

OFTA said today all unauthorised or unlicensed broadcasting activities remain a criminal offence as the Eastern Magistrate decided on January 8 to suspend his ruling regarding the licensing regime's constitutionality and the outcome of the appeal is pending.

Anyone who carries out or participates in such activities may be liable to prosecution, the office warned.

The High Court granted an injunction this afternoon to stop Citizens' Radio's unlicensed broadcasting activities.

Anyone implicated in violating the injunction will constitute contempt of court. Anyone assisting the implicated persons in violating the injunction, including participating in illegal broadcasting, may also constitute contempt of court, the office added.

OFTA added it would prosecute the offenders under the Telecommunications Ordinance if there is sufficient evidence.

Unlicensed radio transmitters may cause harmful interference to other legitimate spectrum users. Breaching section 8 of the ordinance is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and five years in jail while an offender under section 23 may face a maximum penalty of $50,000.