Relatives of Arrested Hong Kong Activists Accuse Government of Lying About Surveillance

Pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong, Owen Chow, and family members of twelve Hong Kong activists arrested as they reportedly sailed to Taiwan for political asylum, speak to media after a protest outside the headquarters of Government Flying Service, in Hong Kong, on October 8, 2020. REUTERS/Aleksander Solum

HONG KONG—Relatives of some of the 12 Hong Kong activists detained by Chinese authorities at sea more than six weeks ago as they tried to flee by boat to Taiwan have accused the Hong Kong government of lying about the circumstances surrounding their arrests.

The detainees, who are accused of crimes tied to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong last year, are being held in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen after mainland authorities intercepted their boat and accused them of illegal border crossing.