The EU statement comes as Brussels prepares to agree a major investment deal with China.
The European Union has called on Beijing to arrest 12 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists while trying to leave the region by boat.
The EU statement came on Tuesday as 10 of those protesters went on trial in China as Brussels prepared to agree a landmark investment agreement with Beijing despite concerns about the country’s rights and agenda.
Relatives of the 10 Hong Kongers accused of fleeing the city by speedboat during a government crackdown say they have been told their family members have pleaded guilty, according to a group support.
The families of the detainees were told by lawyers appointed Tuesday that a court in the Chinese city of Shenzhen would deliver the judgments on Wednesday, according to Concern 12 Hongkongers Group, which supporting the families.
It was unclear whether the 10 would also be sentenced Wednesday, but Chinese courts often issue sentences at the same time as judgments.
All 10 defendants were charged with illegal cross-border charges, and two were facing further charges for orchestrating the effort, according to a lawsuit filed. sent out in Shenzhen.
The trials began Monday afternoon, according to a statement issued by the Shenzhen Yantian District court.
Separate hearings were expected for two young children who were also on board the ship which was apparently heading for Taiwan when it was stopped by a Chinese coast guard on August 23rd.
Defenders are believed to have feared the accusation of being accused of their previous actions in support of Hong Kong’s move for democracy.
Hong Kong media reports said at least one of them may have obtained a warrant for his arrest under a strict new national security law imposed on the semi-independent territory by Beijing in June.
Defendants’ relatives say they have been barred from hiring their own lawyers and the allegations are politically motivated.
Defenders can be sentenced to up to one year for crossing the border and seven years to organize the trip.
They were built after entering Chinese waters on the mainland to cross the sea border without permission.
While Hong Kong is part of China, travelers still have to go through immigration on their way back and to the mainland.
Apparently the defenders had to go through Chinese waters to get to open oceans.