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Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 09:09
HKSAR won't meddle with mainland jurisdiction
By ​Gang Wen in Hong Kong
Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 09:09 By ​Gang Wen in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said on Monday the SAR government respects the arrest and investigation by Chinese mainland law enforcement officers of 12 Hong Kong fugitives who are suspected of entering mainland waters illegally, and won’t challenge mainland jurisdiction. 

It is a well-recognized legal principle that each jurisdiction deals with illegal acts in its area in accordance with its own laws, Lee wrote in his blog. 

The city’s security chief said the special administrative region government wouldn’t want other jurisdictions to meddle in Hong Kong’s law enforcement operations, so in return, it respects and will not interfere with law enforcement actions of other jurisdictions. 

Hong Kong Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said the special administrative region government wouldn’t want other jurisdictions to meddle in Hong Kong’s law enforcement operations, so in return, it respects and will not interfere with law enforcement actions of other jurisdictions

ALSO READ: Experts: 'Misleading' to call 12 fugitives 'democracy activists'

Hong Kong police will keep track of developments and the government will provide assistance to any residents accused of breaking the law outside the city, regardless of their background, Lee wrote. 

According to a statement issued by the Shenzhen police on Sunday, the coast guard of Guangdong province on Aug 23 arrested 12 Hong Kong residents for illegally crossing the border. Some local media reported that they were trying to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat. According to Lee, the 12 fugitives are linked to seven criminal cases, with 10 of them charged with serious offenses including making or possession of explosives, arson, conspiracy to wound with intent, rioting, assaulting police, possession of offensive weapons and possession of instruments fit for unlawful purpose. 

One of them is charged with colluding with foreign or external powers to endanger national security, and another is wanted by police on suspicion of making or possession of explosives; all of them were forbidden from leaving Hong Kong, Lee said.

He added the Immigration Department and the SAR government’s office in Guangdong have contacted the detainees’ families and offered relevant assistance. 

Law professor Willy Fu Kin-chi, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, said the legal principle cited by Lee has proved “effective” over the years. “So I think it is reasonable and acceptable for the SAR government to handle the 12 fugitives in this way,” he said. 

“The SAR government officials have tried all possible means to protect the legal rights of the detainees under the mainland law,” Fu said. 

READ MORE: Arrest of fleeing fugitives for Taiwan a turning point

Lawrence Ma Yan-kwok, a barrister and chairman of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, agreed. He said the SAR government has “fully utilized its power to serve the best interests” of the apprehended individuals and their families. 

Ma said Hong Kong authorities must respect the mainland’s jurisdiction under the existing legal framework. “You cannot just demand the return of arrestees, which is not in the authorities’ legal power,” Ma said. 

Fu urged people awaiting trial in Hong Kong not to evade the due process of law, as it could only harm them.

gangwen@chinadaily.com.cn

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