Eight people in the “12 Hong Kong people case” have been handed over to Hong Kong authorities after completing their sentences in mainland China. The eight were sentenced to seven months in prison by a Shenzhen court late last year and were repatriated in batches from Shenzhen to Hong Kong on Monday (March 22) after completing their sentences, less the number of days in custody.
Yantian Branch of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau issued an announcement on Monday that eight Hong Kong people have been deported in batches today after completing their sentences for the crime of border-crossing.
Hong Kong media reported Monday (March 22) that the eight people were handed over to the Hong Kong police by mainland China law enforcement agencies at around 10 a.m. that day, and then entered via the Shenzhen Bay Port in several vehicles under police motorcycles. the eight people were escorted to the Tin Shui Wai Police Station before 10:30 a.m. in the presence of Senior Superintendent Li Guihua of the Police National Security Division.
The eight Hong Kong people are Zheng Zihao, Yan Wenqian, Zhang Mingyu, Zhang Junfu, Huang Weiran, Li Zixian, Li Yuxuan and Guo Zilin.
In the early hours of August 23 last year, 12 Hong Kong people took a speedboat from Hong Kong to Taiwan and were intercepted by the Guangdong Marine Police on their way and then detained in Shenzhen Yantian Detention Centre. They were between 16 and 30 years old, including Hong Kong Story member Lee Yu-hsuan, who is suspected of violating Hong Kong’s version of the National Security Law. The 12 were involved in the 2019 anti-China campaign and were all prosecuted for their involvement in the “anti-China” movement before fleeing Hong Kong.
Ten of the 12 were sentenced to seven months to three years in prison late last year on suspicion of “organizing others to cross the border” and “smuggling across the border. Two others were not charged as minors and were handed over to the Hong Kong police on the day of the sentencing. The two who are still serving sentences in Shenzhen are Deng Kai Ran and Qiao Ying Yu, who were convicted of organizing the border crossing and sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 20,000 yuan, while Qiao was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 15,000 yuan.
The official Radio Television Hong Kong reported that barrister Zou Xingtong, a member of the “12 Hong Kong People Concern Group”, was very disappointed with the police’s handover arrangements. She told the media that, except for one Family member who received a call from her son, the police did not give any explanation in advance to the families of the eight people who were repatriated to Hong Kong, and the families had repeatedly asked the police and the Immigration Department a few days ago to understand the transfer arrangements. Zou Xingtong said that Li Yuxuan was even taking a statement without the presence of a lawyer. She questioned why the police had to be so secretive and criticized the police for their ridiculous approach.
Hong Kong media reported that since they both have cases pending in Hong Kong, it is likely that they will be taken into custody for abandoning their bail and for violating their bail conditions. Liao and Wong, who were returned to Hong Kong as minors without charge, were both brought before the court on additional charges of “failure to comply with detention” upon their return. Upon conviction, the maximum sentence is 12 months in prison.
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