Eight of the 12 Hongkongers who were captured at sea and detained in mainland China were handed over to Hong Kong police on Monday. They were finally returned to the city after completing a seven-month sentence in Shenzhen for illegally crossing the border and will face trial for protest-related charges in Hong Kong.

Activist Andy Li, who was charged with foreign collusion under the national security law, was reportedly among the first of four batches handed over at Shenzhen Bay control point. He arrived at Tin Shui Wai police station in a seven-person vehicle on Monday morning.

The rest, namely Cheng Tsz-ho, Cheung Chun-fu, Cheung Ming-yu, Li Tsz-yin, Kok Tsz-lun, Wong Wai-yin and Yim Man-him, were taken to police stations in Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. They were seen stepping off a vehicle with their faces covered in black head coverings.

“The eight suspects were returned after completion of legal proceedings by the Mainland authorities,” the Hong Kong police force confirmed on Monday afternoon. The charges they face under the Hong Kong jurisdiction include rioting, possession of offensive weapons, conspiracy to shoot with intent to do grievous bodily harm and assaulting a police officer.

The Save 12 HK Youths Concern Group expressed deep disappointment at the Hong Kong police force as families were not notified of their return. Legal representatives were unable to meet their clients and did not accompany them as they made their statements. Only one out of eight made a phone call to his family.

On behalf of the families, the group also thanked mainland Chinese lawyers who have provided assistance, especially Lu Siwei and Ren Quanniu, who recently had their licenses revoked.

Nearly 50 Hong Kong police officers were deployed to the control point in preparation for the extradition, including agents from the national security unit. Around twenty officers were seen patrolling outside the Tin Shui Wai police station, where the returnees were traveled to after crossing the border. 64-year-old Alexandra Wong, a frequent sight at protests, stood outside the station with a banner that said “Free All Political Prisoners.”

Chris Li, a district councilor in Yuen Long, was outside the police station to provide support. “Their sufferings in mainland China just ended but they have to face further punishments in Hong Kong,” he said.

First arrested by Chinese coastguards in August 2020 in an attempt to flee to Taiwan, 10 of the 12 Hongkongers were convicted of crossing the border illegally or organizing the act in December.

Two underage suspects, Liu Tsz-man and Hoang Lam-phuc, were returned to Hong Kong in December. Liu, who faces charges of conspiracy to commit arson, was mentioned in court earlier this month and his case was adjourned till the end of March.

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