Hong Kong protests: last member of Taiwan-bound fugitive group caught at sea deported back to city from mainland China after serving jail term
- Source says Tang Kai-yin, who served longer jail term on mainland for role in organising the illegal border crossing, handed back to local authorities on Monday
- All 12 in group face charges linked to 2019 anti-government protests
Mainland Chinese authorities have released the last member of a 12-strong fugitive group captured by the coastguard during an attempt to flee by boat to Taiwan in 2020, with the man deported back to Hong Kong after serving a three-year jail term in Guangdong.
A source on Tuesday said Tang Kai-yin, imprisoned on the mainland after being convicted for his role in organising the illegal border crossing, was escorted to a Shenzhen control point where he was handed over to local law enforcement at about 9am on Monday.
He was then taken to Tin Shui Wai Police Station for questioning, and expected to appear in the District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
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Tang had fled Hong Kong in 2020 while facing a charge of conspiracy to endanger life by fire with intent.
He was among 12 fugitives arrested by mainland authorities in Chinese waters while attempting to flee to Taiwan via boat on August 23, 2020. All 12 faced charges or arrest for their roles in the 2019 anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
Compared with the other 11, Tang served a longer jail sentence on the mainland for his organising role.
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Two of the suspects, who were underage when arrested, were sent back to Hong Kong in late 2020, while eight others were handed over to local police in 2021 after being jailed for illegally crossing the border.
The 11th suspect, Quinn Moon, the only woman in the group, was sent back to the city last August. Like Tang, she was also convicted in a mainland court for organising the illegal border crossing.
