Lawmaker Accused Of Encouraging Suspects To Flee HK

Security minister John Lee on Wednesday accused Democrat Roy Kwong of encouraging crime suspects to flee Hong Kong, prompting jeers in Legco from the pro-democracy camp.

Kwong had asked Lee if anyone in the government was aware that 12 young Hongkongers were allegedly planning to go to Taiwan by boat before they were picked up by the Guangdong coastguard and detained on the mainland in August.

The legislator also asked Lee if SAR authorities had planned for the mainland to capture the 12.

"I strongly oppose Kwong's wording just now, encouraging people to jump bail and flee," Lee replied.

The lawmaker then accused the security secretary of violating Legco rules by supposing there were "improper motives" behind his questions.

But Lee denied this, telling Kwong: "You know yourself. I don't have to guess, I absolutely did not."

The minister also claimed that some people are using the detention of the 12 in Shenzhen to "attack" the government and "smear" the police, although he didn't name any names.

Lee said government officials would never agree to calls for them to ask the mainland to allow the immediate return of the 12 to Hong Kong.

He said this would encourage an "unhealthy trend" and allow crime suspects on the mainland to skip legal proceedings.

After the Legco meeting, Lee was drowned out by pan-dems chanting slogans demanding the release of the 12 as he tried to speak to the media. The lawmakers followed him as he left the council building.

Lee later condemned the opposition for "putting on a show" and accused them of obstructing him from his work.