National security police arrest Hong Kong lawyer, students and 10 others accused of helping 12 fugitives with cash, getaway strategy
- Operation targets group said to have supported fugitives’ flight bid with cash and logistics
- Police source says eight men and three women held on suspicion of assisting offenders in breach of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance
National security police have arrested a lawyer, a Ukrainian man and nine others on suspicion of bankrolling an attempt by 12 Hong Kong fugitives to flee the city.
A police source confirmed the arrests early on Thursday of eight men and three women aged 18 to 72 for “assisting offenders”. The act under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
The insider said the 11 individuals were accused of sponsoring the fugitives’ attempt to abscond, with the amount of funds offered by each of them ranging from a few thousand Hong Kong dollars to tens of thousands.
“They also provided help such as introducing middle men to the fugitives, arranging shoreline pickups and providing hiding locations,” the source said.
Two underage suspects, who had jumped bail in Hong Kong, were returned to local police and are facing trial.