China will be charging 12 people from Hong Kong who were caught trying to flee the city in a speedboat. The 12 people were detained more than three months ago.

The officials announced on Friday that the "investigation of 12 Hong Kong people who were found unlawfully crossing the border has ended."

Accused are 11 men and one woman who were captured by a Chinese coastguard on August 23. The youngest of the convicted men is 16.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-prison-wrong-to-cut-long-hair-locks-says-court-345775">Hong Kong prison wrong to cut ‘Long Hair’ locks, says court</a>

They are being charged with illegally crossing and organising an illicit border crossing. If proven guilty, the 12 accused could face a jail time for seven years, the mainland authorities said.

The arrest of the 12 locals had led to various anti-government protests in Hong Kong, which has resulted in various clashes between the locals and the police. The 12 have also faced charges for anti-government protests, which also included violation of a contentious national security law that China imposed in June.

Have a look|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/china-wields-patriotic-education-to-tame-hong-kongs-rebellious-youth-345603">China wields patriotic education to tame Hong Kong's rebellious youth</a>

This case has also attracted international worries as it is being looked at as an extreme step to curb democracy in Hong Kong through China's new security law which was imposed recently. The UK has also expressed concern over the arrest of the 12 protestors.

The concern rose when the detainees were kept away from any virtual attendance too and were not allowed to connect to family, friends and lawyers for a very long time.

Authorities have denied family and lawyers access to the 12, insisting they be represented by officially appointed lawyers.

China will be charging 12 people from Hong Kong who were caught trying to flee the city in a speedboat. The 12 people were detained more than three months ago. The officials announced on Friday that the "investigation of 12 Hong Kong people who were found unlawfully crossing the border has ended.

China will be charging 12 people from Hong Kong who were caught trying to flee the city in a speedboat. The 12 people were detained more than three months ago. The officials announced on Friday that the "investigation of 12 Hong Kong people who were found unlawfully crossing the border has ended." Accused are 11 men and one woman who were captured by a Chinese coastguard on August 23. The youngest of the convicted men is 16. Also read| Hong Kong prison wrong to cut ‘Long Hair’ locks, says court They are being charged with illegally crossing and organising an illicit border crossing. If proven guilty, the 12 accused could face a jail time for seven years, the mainland authorities said. The arrest of the 12 locals had led to various anti-government protests in Hong Kong, which has resulted in various clashes between the locals and the police. The 12 have also faced charges for anti-government protests, which also included violation of a contentious national security law that China imposed in June. Have a look| China wields patriotic education to tame Hong Kong's rebellious youth This case has also attracted international worries as it is being looked at as an extreme step to curb democracy in Hong Kong through China's new security law which was imposed recently. The UK has also expressed concern over the arrest of the 12 protestors. The concern rose when the detainees were kept away from any virtual attendance too and were not allowed to connect to family, friends and lawyers for a very long time. Authorities have denied family and lawyers access to the 12, insisting they be represented by officially appointed lawyers.

China to charge 12 Hong Kong locals who were caught fleeing

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today condemned China's proposed national<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-us-support-hong-kong-has-a-chance-to-fight-back-against-chinas-new-law-300474"> security law </a>to be imposed on Hong Kong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/decoding-the-new-national-security-law-china-is-set-to-impose-on-hong-kong-300437">Also Read: Decoding the new national security law China is set to impose on Hong Kong</a>

"The United States condemns the PRC proposal to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong and strongly urges Beijing to reconsider. We stand with the people of Hong Kong."

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The United States condemns the PRC proposal to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong and strongly urges Beijing to reconsider. We stand with the people of Hong Kong.
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"The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations, and respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions and civil liberties, which are key to preserving its special status under US law," Pompeo said

The European Union called for "the preservation of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy" even as foreign ministers of &nbsp;Britain, Australia and Canada said they were "deeply concerned" over the proposal, while asserting that it would undermine the principle of &nbsp;"one country, two systems".

"Making such a law on Hong Kong's behalf without the direct participation of its people, legislature or judiciary would clearly undermine the principle of 'one country, two systems', under which Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy," it said.

Hong Kong's leader who was present during the leglisture meeting when the annoucement was made vowed to fully cooperate" with Beijing over the national security proposal and complete the legislation "as soon as possible" even as pro-democracy protesters to go back on the street against the proposed law.

"The Hong Kong government will "complete the legislation as soon as possible to discharge its responsibility of safeguarding national security," Carrie Lam said.

Pompeo said said earlier that the bill was a "death knell for the high degree of autonomy Beijing promised for Hong Kong".

According to the proposed law, Article 23 of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, says the city must enact national security legislation to prohibit "treason, secession, sedition (and) subversion" against the Chinese government.

Hong Kong citizens had engaged in months of agitation last year in often violent demonstrations against China demanding greater accountablitity and transparency as Lam tried to calm the city.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today condemned China's proposed national security law to be imposed on Hong Kong. Also Read: Decoding the new national security law China is set to impose on Hong Kong "The United States condemns the PRC proposal to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong and strongly urges Beijing to reconsider.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today condemned China's proposed national security law to be imposed on Hong Kong. Also Read: Decoding the new national security law China is set to impose on Hong Kong "The United States condemns the PRC proposal to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong and strongly urges Beijing to reconsider. We stand with the people of Hong Kong." The United States condemns the PRC proposal to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong and strongly urges Beijing to reconsider. We stand with the people of Hong Kong. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) May 22, 2020 × "The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations, and respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions and civil liberties, which are key to preserving its special status under US law," Pompeo said The European Union called for "the preservation of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy" even as foreign ministers of Britain, Australia and Canada said they were "deeply concerned" over the proposal, while asserting that it would undermine the principle of "one country, two systems". "Making such a law on Hong Kong's behalf without the direct participation of its people, legislature or judiciary would clearly undermine the principle of 'one country, two systems', under which Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy," it said. Hong Kong's leader who was present during the leglisture meeting when the annoucement was made vowed to fully cooperate" with Beijing over the national security proposal and complete the legislation "as soon as possible" even as pro-democracy protesters to go back on the street against the proposed law. "The Hong Kong government will "complete the legislation as soon as possible to discharge its responsibility of safeguarding national security," Carrie Lam said. Pompeo said said earlier that the bill was a "death knell for the high degree of autonomy Beijing promised for Hong Kong". According to the proposed law, Article 23 of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, says the city must enact national security legislation to prohibit "treason, secession, sedition (and) subversion" against the Chinese government. Hong Kong citizens had engaged in months of agitation last year in often violent demonstrations against China demanding greater accountablitity and transparency as Lam tried to calm the city.

Condemn China's imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong: US

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China to charge 12 Hong Kong locals who were caught fleeing

Condemn China's imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong: US