Shenzhen Authorities Charge 10 Of The HK Detainees

Shenzhen authorities said on Wednesday that charges had officially been laid against 10 of the 12 young Hongkongers detained there after they were caught allegedly trying to flee to Taiwan.

In a statement, the Yantian District People’s Procuratorate said two of them are accused of organising the illegal crossing and eight are charged with crossing the border illegally.

The statement said that since the remaining two detainees are minors, a closed-door hearing will be conducted by prosecutors at a later date, before a decision is made "in accordance with the law".

No dates for any court hearings were specified in the statement.

The 12 have been in detention since the Guangdong coastguard intercepted their speedboat on August 23.

Eleven had been facing prosecution in Hong Kong in connection with anti-government protests, while one had been arrested, but not charged, under the national security law.

Family members and lawyers engaged by them have been denied access to the group.