British consulate worker in Hong Kong held for more than two weeks in mainland China finally released, family says in Facebook statement
- Online statement on ‘Release Simon Cheng’ page thanks public for support and pleads for space before entertaining interview requests
- Cheng, 28, disappeared on August 8 while crossing the border into Hong Kong
Simon Cheng Man-kit, 28, a trade and investment officer at the consulate’s Scottish Development International section, was held for 15 days under administrative detention in Shenzhen – a city neighbouring Hong Kong – for what mainland police said was “solicitation of prostitution”.
“Simon has returned to Hong Kong; thank you everyone for your support,” the statement on the Facebook page “Release Simon Cheng” said on Saturday. It asked for space to allow Cheng to rest before taking any interviews.
Cheng’s detention came at the height of Hong Kong’s anti-government protests, triggered by the now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed the transfer of suspects to jurisdictions with which the city has no such agreement, including mainland China.
On August 8, Cheng disappeared as he was crossing the border into Hong Kong after returning from a one-day business trip to Shenzhen, according to his girlfriend. His family and lawyer were not notified and said in a statement they could not locate where he was being detained.