HONG KONG (Reuters) – Relatives of some of the 12 Hong Kong people arrested by China at sea while trying to escape by boat have asked authorities on Monday to give them a 20-day notice of their trial. so that they can attend.
The 11 men and one woman were captured by a Chinese coastguard on Aug. 23 on a boat, believed to be heading for Taiwan. They had all defied allegations in Hong Kong linked to anti-government protests in the former British colony, including riots and breaches of national security law filed by China in June.
They are facing charges of crossing the border illegally and arranging an illegal crossing, which could carry a sentence of up to seven years.
Their case has attracted much interest in Hong Kong as a rare example of Chinese authorities arresting people trying to leave at a time when there is growing fear about the prospect. for the high degree of independence of the city.
The 12 are awaiting trial in mainland Shenzhen city. Two underage suspects will be taken to private hearings.
No test dates have been announced and the relatives said that if a 14-day quarantine period is introduced on mainland China because of the coronavirus, those hoping to be present on the way would have to warning longer than usual.
“We are concerned that the Chinese authorities will use the pandemic as an excuse … to prevent us from attending … so the hearings will amount to a confidential trial,” they said. in a joint statement.
They demanded that they be notified 20 days before the trial and that it be broadcast online, allow foreign diplomats to monitor them and publish all records.
Chinese authorities have denied family and lawyers access to the 12, demanding that they be represented by officially appointed lawyers.
The relatives reiterated Monday their request for permission to speak to their loved ones.
“Our hearts are heavy,” the wife of detainee Wong Wai-Yin told reporters outside the Hong Kong Department of Immigration.
Unlike Hong Kong, where the justice system is independent and based on common law, mainland courts are loyal to the Communist Party and do not challenge the party’s allegations. Conviction rates are close to 100%.
Reciting with Katherine Cheng; Written by Marius Zaharia; Edited by Robert Birsel