Police say most of eight fugitives sent back to Hong Kong from mainland China refusing counsel, lawyer claims

Five of the eight suspects are being held at either Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre or Pik Uk Correctional Institution, barrister Chow Hang-tung says

The family of Andy Li Yu-hin, charged under the national security law, has been unable to locate him following his return, she says

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Shenzhen authorities hand over eight fugitives to Hong Kong police on Monday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 7:51pm, 25 Mar 2021Updated: 10:02pm, 25 Mar 2021

Police have told the families of six fugitives who mainland China sent back to Hong Kong this week that the suspects were refusing legal representation, according to a lawyer working with the relatives.

Barrister Chow Hang-tung also said on Thursday that the family of Andy Li Yu-hin, a 30-year-old activist who was charged under the national security law, had been unable to locate him after his return.

Shenzhen authorities on Monday returned eight out of a dozen activists who were arrested in mainland waters last summer while trying to flee to Taiwan. They had completed a seven-month jail sentence imposed for illegally crossing the border.

Li, who faces three charges including colluding with foreign forces, did not appear in court on Wednesday as the prosecution said he had to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The magistrate said Li would be remanded in a facility managed by the Correctional Services Department as per usual practice.

But in replies to the family, the Correctional Services Department said it had no record of holding Li, while police said they did not know where he was, according to Chow.

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