[ad_1]
HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s pro-democracy politicians staged a brief protest in the city’s legislature on Friday (September 25) calling for the release of 12 activists arrested by Chinese authorities at sea last month when they tried to flee to Taiwan in ship.
Chinese police have said the 12, suspected of crimes in Hong Kong related to the anti-government protests that erupted last year, were suspected of illegally crossing the border. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called them “separatists.”
His arrest in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has become a lightning rod for criticism of the Beijing-backed Hong Kong government.
About a dozen opposition members of the city legislature surrounded Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung ahead of a meeting to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus and demanded that he meet with the families of the detainees and try to bring them back. .
READ: Carrie Lam says Hong Kong cannot demand protection of the rights of 12 arrested by China
“Release the 12 Hong Kongers immediately,” the politicians shouted, holding up posters with the same message and delaying the start of the session.
The 12 failed attempt to flee to Taiwan has highlighted the fears that many people in Hong Kong feel about what they see as China’s determination to end any push for more democracy in the financial center.
The Hong Kong government has said it cannot interfere on their behalf and that they must face legal procedures in China before they can return home, although it says it is willing to provide “feasible” assistance to their families.
“They were fugitives who committed serious crimes, broke bail, violated laws in inland waters,” Cheung said before leaving the room.
READ: Relatives of 12 Hong Kong people arrested by China demand access for their own lawyers
“The immigration department and the security office are the professional department to handle matters. Senior management will continue to pay attention to the incident.”
China’s legal system is controlled and loyal to the ruling Communist Party, which means that the courts do not often challenge the party’s or government’s accusations.
The Chinese authorities have said that the legitimate rights of the 12 are protected in accordance with the law.
