Mainland civil rights lawyer Liang Xiaojun, who was involved in Hong Kong's "12 fugitives" case, has seen his license revoked by authorities.

Liang was appointed by the family of Andy Li Yu-hin, who was one of the 12 Hongkongers who crossed illegally into mainland waters in August last year. However, he failed to represent the activist in the end, as authorities told him Li got another lawyer.

Liang received notice last Friday that his license was revoked due to his support for Falun Gong, a "heretical organization" that threatened social stability.

The authorities said that he had vilified and discredited the fundamental system and principles established by the constitution, describing his behaviors as egregious.

The notice continued that he had not corrected his wrongdoing despite being repeatedly reported and that his conduct has seriously tarnished the image of the legal profession and caused an adverse social impact.

The Bureau said that Liang could submit a statement of defense within five working days. Otherwise, an administrative penalty decision will be made in accordance with the law.

"As I enter the countdown to my career as a lawyer, I look back on my journey with a sense of gratitude," Liang said. "Twenty years of practicing have transformed me from an ignorant, uninformed youth to a mature old man."

He continued that, "I am grateful for the human rights defenders, democrats, and religious believers I have met in detention facilities and defended in court. I know that many of them are more knowledgeable and stronger than I am. They have never blamed me, even though there is never an innocent outcome."

He said that he was always willing to care about the underprivileged, listen to their voices and help them in whatever way he could.

"Under the current environment, some human rights cases can be defended in the wrong direction. When it comes to human rights, I don't want to get lost or confused," Liang said.

Last year, the China Coast Guard intercepted a speedboat on August 23, on which 12 Hongkongers, including Li, were found. They were planning to escape to Taiwan.

Li's family appointed Liang as their lawyer. But as he went to the Yantian District Detention Centre to meet with his client, the police refused his request, giving the reason that Li had hired another lawyer.

Eight of the 12, including Li, were sentenced to seven months in prison. Tang Kai-yin and Quinn Moon, convicted of organizing the illegal border crossing, were sentenced to three years and two years, respectively. Two detainees who were under 18 were not put on trial and sent back to Hong Kong.

Following his return to Hong Kong, Li pleaded guilty in August this year to conspiring to collude with foreign forces and Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying to endanger national safety.

The prosecution said that from June to August 2019, Li organized crowdfunding and engaged in international lobbying calling on countries to condemn China, the Hong Kong SAR, and Hong Kong police and sanction China and the SAR under instructions from Lai and his top aide Mark Simon.

Promotional articles were published in newspapers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan, among others.

The judge adjourned the case until January 3 next year.

Mainland civil rights lawyer Liang Xiaojun has seen his license revoked by authorities. Photo from Twitter.

Andy Li Yu-hin.

Mainland lawyer who helped Hong Kong activist got license revoked