HONG KONG: Canada-born Hong Kong star Edison Chen has finally told his side of the story, after remaining silent over last year's incident which saw 1,300 photos of him cavorting with various Hong Kong starlets hitting the Internet.

He told CNN in an exclusive interview that "I believed I was a victim... I knew that I had nothing to do with the spreading of those photos".

He added: "I've kept quiet just to kind of respect everyone and respect the law."

A Hong Kong computer technician was sentenced to more than 8 1/2 months in jail for dishonestly obtaining access to the intimate shots when Chen sent his computer for repairs.

But it is still unclear exactly how the images made their way to the Web.

Chen, 28, announced his retirement from Hong Kong's entertainment business and fled to Canada in the months following the scandal.

He also faced death threats.

A bullet was sent to a TV station in Hong Kong earlier this year warning the entertainer to stay out of the limelight, noted CNN.

Chen says he has not spoken to any of the women identified in the photos - the list includes Cecilia Cheung, Gillian Chung and Bobo Chan - since the scandal broke.

"Initially, it was because I couldn't find them. Secondly, it was because I didn't really know how to approach (them) and really what to say, to be honest with you," he told CNN.

Cheung had been vocal about being upset with Chen, but has since said that she has forgiven him.

He said: "I wasn't allowed to talk to her (at first) because of the police request and they were investigating me... I had so many things on my mind.

"I'm not trying to say that that justifies any wrongdoing that she thinks I've done to her. But I hope that she can understand, and I hope that she can forgive me either today or one day, and she'll understand that I had my difficulties, and I really, really never wished this upon anyone, and I still respect her."

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