HK police deny 12 suspects were detained in HK waters

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/9/21 13:44:41

12 suspects ‘not detained in HK waters’ by mainland police


Hong Kong Police File photo:Xinhua



Hong Kong police denied that police from Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, had crossed into the waters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region when they detained 12 Hong Kong residents, adding that Hong Kong police will continue to assist the relatives of the suspects.

The 12 suspects were detained on August 23 by Shenzhen police on suspicion of illegally crossing the border. Media reported that they were suspected of trying to escape to the island of Taiwan from Hong Kong when mainland coast guard intercepted their speedboat.

Hong Kong police said on Sunday that their Chinese mainland counterparts were dealing with the case in accordance with law. 

The police authority's comments came after relatives of some of the 12 Hong Kong suspects asked Hong Kong police to release information such as the locations of the 12 suspects and radar information on the ship when they were arrested. 

The police said that no mainland coast guard vessels were seen entering or staying in Hong Kong waters when the 12 suspects were arrested, Hong Kong media reported. 

Relatives demanded that the Hong Kong government allow face-to-face visits with the 12 people who are currently being detained in Shenzhen. The police said the relevant departments would continue to maintain close contact with the families, follow up on the incident and provide appropriate assistance.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a tweet that the 12 arrested "are not democratic activists, but elements attempting to separate Hong Kong from China."

Media reported that 10 of the 12 suspects had been charged in Hong Kong with producing or possessing explosives, arson and assaulting police, and one of the group members allegedly violated the national security law.

Global Times 


Newspaper headline: 12 suspects ‘not detained in HK waters’ by mainland police


Posted in: HK/MACAO/TAIWAN

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