[ad_1]
Ten activists faced trial in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen on Monday after they were prevented from attempting to flee Hong Kong to Taiwan by speedboat.
All face charges of illegally crossing the border, and two also face charges of organizing the attempt, according to one indictment.
The trial was held at the Yantian District People’s Court in Shenzhen, across the border from Hong Kong.
Two minors who were also aboard the speedboat, intercepted by the Chinese coast guard in August on its way to Taiwan, were expected to be tried separately.
Diplomats are denied access to the courts
The passengers feared prosecution for their activism in support of the democratic opposition in Hong Kong under the new national security laws.
China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed calls from the US Embassy for the 12 to be released as an interference in China’s “judicial sovereignty.”
The US Embassy said it had requested permission to observe the hearing, but that the request was denied.
“His alleged ‘crime’ was to flee from tyranny,” the embassy statement said. “Communist China will stop at nothing to prevent its people from seeking freedom elsewhere.”
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was deeply concerned that the group had been secretly tried only three days in advance and that British diplomats had been denied entry to the courtroom.
“The Shenzhen 12 have not had access to lawyers of their choice, raising further questions about access to legal advice in mainland China. We hope that China upholds the rule of law and conducts trials in a fair and transparent manner, ”he said.
The defendants face up to one year in prison for crossing the border and up to seven years for organizing the escape.
Seeking refuge in Taiwan
The activists were detained when their ship entered Chinese waters on its way to Taiwan. Hong Kong residents must go through immigration upon entering China.
Taiwan has become a popular destination for critics of the Hong Kong government seeking refuge. Others have sought refuge in the UK, for which they have faced asset seizures and arrest warrants.
Amnesty International’s program director in Hong Kong, Lam Cho Ming, said in a statement that the defendants have been denied basic rights such as the ability to hire their own lawyers.
“China must ensure that the 10 people whose case will be heard today, as well as the other two detained with them, get public and fair hearings,” Lam said. “They must also ensure that none of the 12 are subjected to torture or other ill-treatment.”
Family members of the group have published a joint letter condemning the secret court hearing.
“We urge governments to send embassy staff to the hearing to ensure a proper and fair trial in the Shenzhen courts,” they said. The defendants include British, Portuguese and Vietnamese nationals, the youngest being 16 years old.
[ad_2]
