A Chinese lawyer representing a Hongkonger who was caught trying to flee to Taiwan has accused mainland police of practicing unlawful procedures after being barred from meeting his client.

Mainland authorities intercepted a group of 12 Hong Kong protesters —  who had previously been arrested or charged —  during an attempted escape by boat to Taiwan, around 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Hong Kong on August 23. They were brought to the Yantian district in Shenzhen for detention.

The unidentified lawyer attempted to meet his client but was barred by authorities, according to Apple Daily. Mainland human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, who is representing a Hong Kong woman held on the mainland, has also been denied access to his client.

The lawyer was demanded by staff of the Yantian detention center to show proof of notarial certification that he was indeed representing his client. Two staff members of the Yantian police station told the lawyer that the requirement was set by judicial authorities.

But the lawyer said there was no such requirement of proof in Chinese criminal law. The lawyer then went to Yantian’s prosecutorial office to urge it to exercise its supervisory power over the police’s unlawful handling of the case, and to allow him to meet his client.

But a prosecutor refused to take action, telling the lawyer that the 12 people may have violated national security as they tried to smuggle themselves into Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway territory. The prosecutor said he would inform his superiors after the lawyer insisted again that the prosecutorial office should intervene.

The lawyer said human rights lawyers would usually not agree to such unlawful practices and instead argue with the authorities until they were successful.

However, as family members were anxious about the detainees’ situation and fearful of being attacked like lawyer Lu Siwei, some lawyers representing the 12 Hongkongers have stopped insisting on following existing procedures. They have instead arranged to meet with the clients first, the lawyer said.

The lawyer said he would argue for the detainees to be transferred back to Hong Kong on the point of jurisdiction.

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