US State Department Criticises HK Arrests

A senior US State Department official has criticised the arrest by Hong Kong authorities of nine people who are accused of helping 12 others in their attempt to flee to Taiwan.

In a Twitter post, the department's spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, said officials in the SAR should instead step up efforts to secure due process for the 12, who are detained in Shenzhen after being picked up by the mainland coastguard.

"On October 10, Hong Kong police arrested nine people for allegedly assisting the 'Shenzhen 12,' who have been held in a CCP prison without access to their families or own lawyers for 5+ weeks. HK should work to secure the return of due process rights, not make new arrests," she wrote.

The 12 were intercepted by the coastguard on August 23, after they took a speedboat and allegedly tried to flee to Taiwan. They are accused of crossing the border illegally.

All 12 were charged with of suspected of protest-related offences, while one had been arrested under the National Security Law.

A further nine people were arrested on Saturday. Police believe the four men and five women aged between 27 and 72, are friends of the 12 and accused them of helping the offenders.

The force also seized HK$500,000 in cash, computers and mobile phones, as well as receipts believed to be related to the operation.