Shenzhen court says charges against group of Hong Kong fugitives heard in ‘open trial attended by relatives’, but families deny any were there
- Judgment on illegal border crossing charges will be announced at later date, judicial body says
- The 10 defendants reportedly pleaded guilty, while families urge court to quickly release verdict
A group of Hong Kong activists arrested by mainland Chinese authorities while trying to flee by sea to Taiwan in August reportedly pleaded guilty in a neighbouring Shenzhen court on Monday in what was officially described as an open hearing attended by the defendants’ family members and journalists.
The Yantian People’s Court announced that a judgment date would be decided later, even as family members said they had not been allowed to attend the hearing, while journalists from the Post and other Hong Kong media as well as Western diplomats were kept out of the court building.
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Families decry denied access despite Shenzhen's claims Hong Kong fugitives had 'open trial'
The judicial body said the case against the eight defendants accused of illegally crossing the border and two of organising the crime was heard “in accordance with the law and in an open trial”.
“The court listened to the procuratorate’s opinion, as well as the defence of each defendant and their lawyers,” it said. “A date will be decided for the announcement of this case’s judgment.”
The statement made no mention of their pleas, but pro-Beijing newspaper Wen Wei Po reported the 10 admitted their guilt and asked for leniency.
