9 held in Hong Kong for helping 12 activists accused of ties to anti-govt protests

Police break up a protest by family members of 12 Hong Kong residents, who were intercepted by the Chinese coastguard and detained on the mainland in August after they were caught trying to flee Hong Kong for Taiwan on speedboat for serious protest-linked prosecutions, protest outside the Government Flying Service headquarters in Hong Kong. Credit: Reuters Photo

Hong Kong police said on Saturday they had arrested nine people suspected of helping 12 Hong Kong activists who fled the city in August, heading for Taiwan, only to be intercepted by Chinese authorities and held on the mainland.

The dozen, accused of crimes tied to anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year, are being detained in the southern city of Shenzhen after authorities intercepted their boat and accused them of illegal border crossing.