Chinese authorities may strip a human rights lawyer of his practising licence following his involvement in the case of the “Hong Kong 12,...
Chinese authorities may strip a human rights lawyer of his practising licence following his involvement in the case of the “Hong Kong 12,” according to an official letter released Monday. A Shenzhen court ruled last week that the fugitives had illegally entered Chinese waters whilst trying to flee to Taiwan following last year’s protests.
In a letter informing Lu Siwei of administrative punishment proceedings against him, the Sichuan province’s Department of Justice accused him of “publishing inappropriate speech online.”
“Upon investigation, this department found that you have published inappropriate speech online on multiple occasions – the considerable length of time with a vast number of posts have seriously harmed the image of the lawyer profession and caused a negative impact upon society,” the notice read.
The letter stated that the department planned to revoke Lu’s practising license as “an administrative punishment” but did not specify the offending online statements.
According to mainland Chinese law, Lu is entitled to provide a statement and file a defence. He is required to officially request for a hearing within three days, at the end of which he will be deemed to have given up the right to plead his case.
Lu had served as the legal representation for Quinn Moon, who was was given a two year sentence last Wednesday for organising an illegal crossing.
Moon’s family said he was of no help: “The lawyer failed to live up to his responsibilities. He only asked our family to write to Quinn directly to discuss, and he refused to meet her in person,” they said in a statement on Saturday, according to RTHK. They added that Lu had not replied when they asked to discuss an appeal.
Two minors among the 12 were returned to Hong Kong while the remaining ten were given prison sentences ranging from seven months to three years.
Lu had told reporters that he had been denied access to his client in September.
The group had been arrested by mainland Chinese authorities after they attempted to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat last August. One of the ten prisoners, Andy Li, had been arrested under the security law two weeks prior.
The group’s family members and right groups had repeatedly called on Chinese authorities to allow the 12 access to legal representation of their choosing. The 12’s closed door trial last week drew criticism from foreign governments and activists.
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