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HONG KONG — The Chinese authorized authorities have threatened to revoke the licenses of two legal professionals employed to assist a bunch of Hong Kong protesters who have been arrested final yr whereas making an attempt to flee to Taiwan by speedboat.
Ten of the activists have been convicted final week by a court docket within the mainland Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen of unlawful boundary crossing and sentenced to jail phrases starting from seven months to 3 years. Two different members of the group who have been minors on the time of their arrest in August have been returned to Hong Kong, a semiautonomous Chinese territory.
For Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition, the case has highlighted fears of the Communist Party-controlled authorized system on the mainland and the dangers it poses to the town’s custom of an impartial judiciary.
Most of the group confronted fees in Hong Kong linked with antigovernment protests in 2019, together with arson, rioting, assaulting law enforcement officials and weapons possession. One member, Andy Li, was beneath investigation on suspicion of violating the nationwide safety legislation imposed on Hong Kong final yr. They have been arrested by the Chinese Coast Guard on their strategy to Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its territory, and detained on the mainland.
The two legal professionals, Lu Siwei and Ren Quanniu, have been employed by members of the family of the activists however have been barred from representing them. Instead, the defendants have been compelled to depend on government-appointed legal professionals.
The two legal professionals have taken on many delicate circumstances. Mr. Lu was formally reprimanded after representing one other human rights lawyer in 2019 who had overtly criticized the Chinese management. Mr. Ren lately represented Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist sentenced final week to 4 years in jail for her reporting on the coronavirus outbreak within the mainland Chinese metropolis of Wuhan.
Mr. Ren obtained a discover from the Department of Justice in Henan Province, the place he’s licensed, saying he confronted disbarment over his dealing with of a 2018 case wherein he represented a member of Falun Gong, the banned non secular group. He mentioned that case was more than likely an excuse.
“The direct reason is definitely related to the Hong Kongers’ case and Shanghai Zhang Zhan case,” he mentioned in an audio message.
A letter despatched to Mr. Lu by the Department of Justice in Sichuan Province, the place he’s registered, mentioned he was accused of “repeatedly publishing unsuitable language online,” with out providing particulars. He mentioned he deliberate to request a listening to, and known as the authorities’ case towards him “inexplicable suppression and persecution.”
The Chinese authorities have for years used annual licensing necessities to intimidate legal professionals concerned in delicate circumstances, wielding the specter of disbarment to punish those that don’t again down.
Mr. Lu and Mr. Ren have been every given three days to rearrange hearings over their licenses, however Mr. Ren mentioned he had little hope of a profitable attraction.
A gaggle representing members of the family of the activists mentioned they believed the timing of the actions towards the 2 legal professionals indicated that they have been “obviously revenge for their involvement” within the Hong Kong case.
“For their daring to go against the powers that be, and persistence in upholding the rights of the twelve, the authorities have resorted to ending their professional career and cutting off their livelihoods,” the households mentioned in a press release.
The households have mentioned they hope to go to their imprisoned kin as quickly as potential, however thus far have obtained little info from the state-appointed legal professionals.
Tiffany May contributed reporting.
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