Another Hongkonger detained in the neighboring mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen after attempting to flee to Taiwan has had lawyers appointed to represent him without his family’s knowledge, Apple Daily has learnt.

The family of the man, known as Lee Chi-yin in Cantonese, had appointed their own lawyer, Ji Zhongjiu. But when Ji asked to visit his client, he was told that Lee had already appointed two lawyers himself while inside the detention center.

Lee’s family has said they will not hire any lawyer other than Ji, according to records of communication between the two sides seen by Apple Daily. The family was not aware of the appointment of the new lawyers, Ji said.

Lee is among the 12 Hongkongers seized after their boat was intercepted by China’s coast guard while attempting to escape the former British colony because they feared political persecution.

Lee is the second person in the group whose family-appointed lawyer was told that their client had appointed other legal representatives. Lu Siwei, who represents a woman on the boat, earlier told the media of a similar experience. Chinese authorities later asked Lu to file a report on taking up the case.

While there are no clear guidelines, a report was usually requested when authorities wanted to get a good grasp of the legal process and to control the lawyers while also putting psychological pressure on them, legal sources told Apple Daily.

National security officials told another lawyer to drop the case because it was sensitive and would destroy his career, a source told Apple Daily.

Six lawyers have failed in their attempts to visit their clients, another lawyer involved in the case told Apple Daily, adding that the mainland authorities may have appointed lawyers for all of them.

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