Hong Kong: Dealing with 12 detained separatists China's business

Hong Kong says it will stay away from China’s detention of a dozen individuals it calls “separatists” who sought to flee to Taiwan, arguing that handling the case is within the jurisdiction of mainland China.

Hong Kong authorities said Sunday that they had received pleas from the families of 12 residents, who were detained last month by Chinese law enforcement for illegal entry into the mainland as they were trying to flee to Taiwan by sea.

They are now being held in Shenzhen and face possible charges of immigration violations and human smuggling.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a Twitter message on Sunday that the detainees, ranging in age from 16 to 33, were “elements attempting to separate Hong Kong from China."

The families of six detainees held a news conference in Hong Kong on Saturday, calling for the return of the 12, who were detained on August 23 on a boat bound for Taiwan.

They were wearing masks, sunglasses and hooded jackets in an effort to maintain anonymity.

The Hong Kong government ruled out any interference in the case on Sunday, saying  that their “crime falls within the jurisdiction of the mainland.”

It reiterated that “the special administrative region government respects and will not interfere with law enforcement actions.”

Hong Kong said the group was suspected of committing “various criminal offenses” in the city.

The regional government has also called on the families to make use of free legal consultation services being offered to them.

The arrests were made after China imposed a security law on Hong Kong that criminalizes sedition, secession, and subversion against the mainland -- offenses punishable by sentences of up to life in prison.

ME