A jobless man has been charged over the online publication of obscene photos depicting what appear to be local entertainers.

Aged about 30, he was arrested in the New Territories yesterday and 12 obscene photos were found on his computer, some of which had been published online.

Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing expressed concern over the case saying officers are working to stop the circulation of the photos with the help of Internet service providers.

Investigations are studying the suspect's link to the photos and whether they are genuine.

People who have received the photos should not distribute them, he said.

Publishing obscene articles on the Internet is an offence under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance. This includes the act of reposting the obscene articles or Internet hyperlinking of obscene articles, whether for profit or otherwise. Anyone convicted of this offence is liable to a fine of $1 million and three years in prison.  

Anyone who received the nude photos should delete the images immediately, and report their publication to the Police.

The man will appear at Tuen Mun Magistrate's Court tomorrow.