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Hong Kong protests
Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong protests: Greta Thunberg backs global Twitter campaign for release of 12 city fugitives detained in mainland China

  • Teen environmentalist joins global campaign demanding the group’s return to Hong Kong
  • The dozen, wanted in Hong Kong for protest-related offences, are held in Shenzhen after being intercepted en route to Taiwan

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Greta Thunberg is the latest high-profile figure to support the cause of the 12 Hong Kong fugitives currently detained in mainland China. Photo: AFP
Jeffie Lam

Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has joined a growing international list of campaigners and politicians demanding the release of 12 Hong Kong fugitives detained in mainland China after being arrested at sea while fleeing to Taiwan.

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The Swedish environmentalist shared on Twitter a picture of her holding a white board bearing the message “#SAVE12HKYOUTHS” in response to a direct appeal to back the cause from Joshua Wong Chi-fung, the poster boy of Hong Kong’s protest movement.
Thunberg, who was Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year, also wrote on the post that “12 is more than just a number” and nominated three other young climate activiststo support the group, who are held in Shenzhen and all wanted in Hong Kong for offences allegedly committed during last year’s anti-government protests.
The environmentalist used social media to issue her support to the 12 detained Hongkongers. Photo: Greta Thunberg Twitter
The environmentalist used social media to issue her support to the 12 detained Hongkongers. Photo: Greta Thunberg Twitter

Mainland judicial authorities on September 30 officially approved the arrests of the 12 Hongkongers – captured at sea on August 23 while attempting to reach Taiwan by speedboat – on suspicion of illegal border crossing or organising such an act.

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The 12 fugitives are currently detained in Yantian People’s Procuratorate in Shenzhen and have so far been prevented from meeting legal representatives of their own choosing.

Initiated last Wednesday by Hong Kong Watch founder Benedict Rogers and Hong Kong activist Joey Siu, the petition calls for the immediate return of the group to Hong Kong.

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