A Shenzhen court on Wednesday handed down jail sentences ranging from seven months to three years to 10 of the 12 Hong Kong fugitives who were arrested at sea in August by local authorities for illegal entry while they were attempting to flee to Taiwan. The two underage suspects were handed over to the Hong Kong police.
The 10 said their rights were “fully protected” when they pleaded guilty at their open trial on Monday, testifying to the fair and transparent manner with which the Chinese mainland judicial system has handled this high-profile case. Repentant for their crimes, they also said that the mainland judicial system has been “seriously misunderstood”.
While the two youngsters were repatriated without being charged, the two ringleaders who organized the illegal border crossing had their sentences mitigated, and the others in the group have every chance to get their condign punishments reprieved. As the wheels of justice turn, the timely judgment serves as a deterrent for the young defendants on bail.
It is plain to see that the mainland judiciary meted out justice in strict accordance with the law of the People’s Republic of China, as evidenced by its objective and non-discriminatory approach toward the case, which has been politicized and exploited by foreign elements and Hong Kong opposition forces ever since their arrests were announced, and even before details of the case were known. Some China-bashers portrayed the 12 fugitives, who jumped bail in their desperate bid to escape justice, as “victims” who were “subjected to torture or ill-treatment”.
Many people lamented that the misled young fugitives started as rioters breaking Hong Kong law in the name of opposing the extradition-law amendment bill, got arrested by Hong Kong police for various criminal offenses, were somehow convinced by their “helpers” to become fugitives, but ended up getting caught red-handed by mainland authorities while committing another crime. The Western politicians and their local proxies’ ill-intended, groundless allegations, however, have proved to be ridiculous rumors fabricated only to advance their despicable agenda. The opposition camp in Hong Kong, especially the “burn together” faction, as well as their foreign masters who exploited the youths as their political assets, should know that their schemes are doomed to fail whatever card they play.
Unfortunately, last year’s social unrest, with the agitators’ well-practiced instigations, turned ill-advised youths into criminal fugitives. Should the politicians retain the slightest sense of responsibility, they will cease to undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong and ensure the youths and underage teens stay on the right track.
A few foreign diplomats reportedly gathered outside the court in Shenzhen on Monday, demanding a presence inside. The Shenzhen authorities made no exception for them as the courtroom was already packed. As usual, the Western media seized this opportunity to besmirch China’s judicial system and its workings while ignoring the fact that courts in their own countries follow similar laws and criminal procedures. Their hypocrisy has no merit except that it exposes their arrogance and ill intentions while alienating them from righteous people.
