Authorities 'refuse To Name Shenzhen 12's Lawyers'

The families of 12 Hongkoners detained in Shenzhen say the authorities there have declined to identify the lawyers who are representing the detainees.

Sources said on Saturday that the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau’s Yantian branch had written to the families, saying the information they had requested is related to criminal cases, and does not fall under the definition of “government information” that can be released.

The 12 face charges of illegally entering mainland waters after they were picked up by the coastguard, allegedly while leaving the SAR by speedboat.

Mainland authorities earlier said the detainees had chosen their own lawyers, and so separate legal representatives engaged by their families could not get involved in the case.

So far, despite numerous attempts, neither the relatives nor the lawyers they engaged have been allowed to meet the Hongkongers.

Mainland officials have said the 12 were arrested on August 23 for illegally entering mainland waters in a speedboat. The 12, who were charged with or suspected of protest-related offences in the SAR, were reportedly attempting to reach Taiwan.