HK Detainees Hail Mainland's Judicial System: Xinhua

Ten Hongkongers jailed in Shenzhen on Wednesday for their alleged illegal border crossing had nothing but praise for the mainland's judicial system – according to state media.

The group, who had been held for more than four months since being captured at sea by the Guangdong coast guard, declared that their rights had been fully protected and that they had been treated fairly, Xinhua News Agency said.

As they were given prison terms of between seven months and three years, the detainees all expressed regret for their actions, Xinhua reported, and they also announced that they had "seriously misunderstood" the mainland’s judicial system.

Quinn Moon, who was sentenced to two years in prison, was quoted as saying that she now understands how the mainland's justice system is “fair, just and serious”, adding that her rights had all been adequately protected.

She also reportedly said that she regretted her behaviour which had "engendered society and her family".

Xinhua added that the other defendants made similar remarks, including that it was very wrong for them to have believed in other people’s “seriously misleading” comments about the mainland's judiciary.

Lawyers appointed for the Hongkongers by their families were denied access to the detainees, while the group's relatives have not been able to visit them since their detention on August 23 and could not attend the trial.