The family members of 12 Hongkongers accused of illegally entering Chinese waters are calling on Beijing for their release, following a trial on Dec. 28 that was shrouded in secrecy.
The 12 detainees, aged 16 to 33, were arrested at sea by Chinese coast guards after they set sail from Hong Kong, allegedly trying to escape to Taiwan to claim political asylum. Ten of the group were put on trial on Dec. 28 at the Yantian District People’s Court in southern China’s Shenzhen city, on charges of “suspicion of illegally crossing the border” or “suspicion of organizing others to illegally cross the border.” The remaining two haven’t yet faced trial because they are minors.
