Family members of Hong Kong fugitives jailed in Shenzhen leave for visit with fingers crossed, but coronavirus pandemic rules may scuttle chance of reunion
- Three relatives journeyed to the mainland city in a bid to see their loved ones for the first time in four months, according to a former lawmaker
- But they are operating in a vacuum of information about what can be arranged, he says, while Covid-19 control measures could deny them access
Three family members of Hong Kong fugitives jailed by a court in neighbouring Shenzhen have travelled to the mainland city hoping to see their loved ones for the first time in four months, a former opposition lawmaker has said.
The families have been trying to decide on their next steps, including whether to help launch an appeal against the ruling, but are struggling with a lack of communication by Shenzhen authorities and little assistance from the Hong Kong government, according to former legislator Eddie Chu Hoi-dick.
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“The family members cannot help [the fugitives] lodge any appeal,” Chu told RTHK’s City Forum on Sunday. “They cannot get in touch with [them] to ask if they would like to appeal and if they need any help on this. The information we have so far is very limited. It remains unknown where they will serve their sentence, when they can be visited or what’s the procedures for these visits.”