Some of the detained 12 may return to Hong Kong by New Year

Maisy Mok

Some of the 12 Hongkongers detained in the mainland could return home before Lunar New Year, central government-appointed lawyers told their families.

The 12 - including activist Andy Li Yu-hin - were captured by Chinese officials while fleeing for Taiwan on a speedboat on August 23.

The 11 men and one woman - aged 16 to 33 - have been accused of entering the mainland's jurisdiction illegally or organizing the illegal crossing, police in the Yantian district of Shenzhen said last month.

The Yantian District People's Procuratorate is investigating and could prosecute the 12.

Their relatives tried to hire lawyers to represent them, but were told they were provided government-appointed lawyers instead.

Former lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, who has been assisting the families, said such lawyers have called up more than half of the families in recent weeks.

But Chu said the lawyers have been "very mysterious" and relatives are uncertain about their identities.

He added some would only reveal their surnames and others would tell the families: "You should know who I am."

The families were told that cases linked to the 12 are "not too severe" and estimated that their sentences would be from six to seven months.

One lawyer said some could be released around Lunar New Year. But those who organized the border crossing may face more severe sentences, the lawyer added.

"Families are uncertain whether what the lawyers are saying is true or false," Chu said.

He added one of the detained requested his parents multiple times to "help him plead guilty" to a charge in Hong Kong.

"The individual's family felt stunned by the request as the 12 were detained due to illegal border crossing, which is irrelevant to [cases in] Hong Kong," Chu said.

"Some families heard from the government-appointed lawyers that [the detainees] were interrogated about their actions in Hong Kong this has led families to worry that what they say during interrogation will be used in future trials in Hong Kong."

Chu said mainland authorities are currently considering whether or not to prosecute the 12 and a trial would be scheduled once a decision is made.

He hopes mainland authorities can announce the date of the trial as soon as possible so families can attend the hearing on time, considering that Hongkongers are currently required to quarantine for 14 days when going to Shenzhen.

Relatives of the detainees are disappointed that the government is unable to assist them in delivering letters to the 12, Chu said.

The Immigration Department previously said its would send the letters to the 12, but lawyers said the letters will not be given to them.

maisy.mok@singtaonewscorp.com