The comments came after Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot - the creator of the sculpture that commemorates the victims of China's Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 - wrote in a letter to authorities that he was neither consulted nor informed about the police action, describing the seizure as “outrageous.”

He also insisted he was the owner of the statue.

According to the police statement, the force said the search was conducted with a court warrant.

“Like any other case, to collect evidence following progress of investigation to take forward the relevant case is legal, reasonable and rational,” it wrote.

The police spokesman also emphasized that the government has all along carried out its duties and obligations to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, and the handling of this case is no exception.

“The HKSAR government will continue to handle the exhibit, including the arrangement after the judicial proceedings, in accordance with the law,” the spokesman added.