A vehicle transporting one of the two minor fugitives returned to Hong Kong by Shenzhen authorities enters Tin Shui Wai Police Station in Hong Kong on Dec 30, 2020. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Shenzhen authorities announced Wednesday they had decided not to prosecute two minors among 12 Hong Kong fugitives detained by the Chinese mainland coastguard in August for illegal border crossing.

The two are among 12 fugitives who are facing charges in Hong Kong related to last year's anti-government protests

Liu Tsz-man and Hoang Lam-phuc have been returned to Hong Kong Police Force.  

They have pled guilty to crossing the border with the Chinese mainland illegally after an investigation and closed-door hearings in Shenzhen, according to a statement by Yantian People’s Procuratorate in Shenzhen.

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Hoang is facing charges in Hong Kong related to attempted arson with intent and possession of offensive weapons in a public place. Liu was charged with conspiracy to commit arson and possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property.

All 12 fugitives are facing charges in Hong Kong related to last year’s anti-government protests. 

On August 23, the 12 boarded a speedboat at the pier of Po Toi O in Sai Kung and headed toward Taiwan in an apparent attempt to evade prosecution in Hong Kong. Their vessel was intercepted by the mainland coastguard shortly after leaving Hong Kong waters.

READ MORE: Taiwan escape attempt: 10 HK fugitives jailed in Shenzhen

After receiving the two minors around noon, Cheng Lai-ki, acting chief superintendent of Commercial Crime Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force told reporters that the court would be informed about the return of the duo and that they should appear in court after a 14-day mandatory quarantine.  

Cheng said Hong Kong society would look down upon those suspects who chose to abscond while awaiting trial. Pointing out that the fugitives had tried to evade legal responsibility and had violated the conditions of bail, Cheng said additional charges under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance may be brought against the duo.

According to the Ordinance, a person admitted to bail who, without reasonable cause, fails to surrender to custody as shall have been appointed by a court, commits an offence and is liable to a fine of any amount and to imprisonment for 12 months.