Lawyers Of HK Detainees Fail To Make Any Headway

An attempt by mainland lawyers to represent some of the 12 Hong Kongers captured at sea last month by Chinese authorities has failed again.

In the latest attempt, four lawyers who wanted to represent their respective clients arrived at the Yantian detention centre on Wednesday, and were informed of the need to submit the necessary papers to prove that they have indeed been hired by the detainees’ families.

Even though one of them was able to present all the documents needed, all four were turned away, with staff claiming the detainees had already appointed their own lawyers.

The four then headed to the public security bureau, where they requested to meet with the officer in charge of the case, alleging that the Yantian detention centre had breached the law by denying them access to their clients.

However, their request for a meeting was rejected, with officers reiterating again that all 12 Hong Kongers have already hired their own legal representatives.

The 12 were arrested around a month ago for allegedly crossing into mainland waters while reportedly trying to flee to Taiwan to seek political asylum.

Their families have not heard from them since, and the lawyers who they hired had failed to meet the detainees.