Hong Kong speedboat fugitives set for China trial, US urges release france24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from france24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A group of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists went on trial in China today after they were arrested at sea as they tried to flee the city by speedboat to get to Taiwan.
Ten of the so-called Hong Kong 12 appeared in court today in the southern city of Shenzhen to face charges linked to an illegal border crossing.
The 12 people, aged 16 to 33, were put under compulsory criminal detention in August for illegally crossing the border, according to a statement from the public security bureau in Shenzhen of southern China.
Ten of the so-called Hong Kong 12 appeared in court today in the southern city of Shenzhen to face charges linked to an illegal border crossing. Pictured: Family members of the 12 arrested people in China at a press conference as the trial in Shenzhen has concluded without a verdict
Chinese officials, who have described the group as separatists, said two would have a separate hearing as they are minors. Andy Li, one of the detainees, is facing charges related to a national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in June for which some offences carry a sentence of up to life in jail.
The charges of illegal border crossing and organizing an illicit border crossing carry a sentence of up to seven years in jail, mainland authorities said.
A Reuters reporter was not allowed into the court, nor were diplomats. A concern group supporting the families of those detained said none of the defendants’ relatives attended the trial.
Trials begin for 10 charged with fleeing from Hong Kong wfmz.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wfmz.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Synopsis
The hearing began as scheduled on Monday afternoon and a convoy of vehicles were seen departing around four hours later. The Yantian District People s Court said sentencing will be at a later date.
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Since Beijing imposed the security law in June, Taiwan has emerged as a sanctuary for Hong Kong activists.
Shenzhen: A group of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who tried to escape the city by speedboat for sanctuary in Taiwan went on trial in China on Monday as the United States urged the immediate release of dissidents it says fled tyranny .
Ten of the so-called Hong Kong 12 were in court in the southern city of Shenzhen to face charges linked to an illegal border crossing.