A Hong Kong activist was charged for colluding against China and Hong Kong. The pro-democracy activist was detained in China after he was attempting to hoodwink the law and flee China from a boat. He was found guilty of conspiring with a foreign country against national security.

Andy Li and 12 other people were captured by Chinese authorities in August 2020 on a boat. It is believed that they were fleeing to Taiwan. The arrest of the journalist drew international attention to Chinese behaviour towards her and other dissidents.

The court concluded that 31-year-old Li was acting on the instructions of media tycoon and prominent critic of Chinese policies Jimmy Lai. He is in prison facing charges of illegal assembly and lobbying for obtaining sanctions against China.

Li confessed to her crime and asked for forgiveness from the court. High Court Judge Alex Lee confirmed her conviction for conspiracy. He will be sentenced probably in the next hearing to be held on January 3, 2022.

Li has not approached the media and given his statement on the matter of his detention in China and his further confinement in Hong Kong. He has pleaded guilty to allegations.

Alain Sham and Trevor Chan, Li’s lawyers could not be approached for comments. Lawrence Law, his previous lawyer did not respond to Reuters email for comments and has not commented on any other platform either.

A 29-year-old paralegal was also convicted in a similar case. He was not a member of the group trying to flee to Taiwan. Chan Tsz-wah pleaded guilty and the court has adjourned the court till January.

Other 12 people who were apprehended were sentenced to punishment between 3 years and 7 months on the charges of illegally crossing the border and assisting others to do so by a Chinese court.

Minors were released in December and eight others were transferred to Hong Kong after being released from China, Li included. They were part of pro-democracy movements that rocked the mainland and Hong Kong in 2019. Two members are serving their sentences of 2 and 3 years in a Chinese prison.

One of the two minors, Loang lam Phuc pleaded guilty for attempting arson and in possession of dangerous articles. He was ordered to remain in a training centre meant for the rehabilitation of juveniles under 20 years of age.

These 12 were investigated and assisted for their trial by the state-appointed lawyers. They were denied access to families and choose of being represented by a lawyer of their choice. The licences of two human rights lawyers, who tried to help them, were revoked. Media persons and diplomats were restricted to attend the trial.

Beatrice Li has been demining fair trial for her brother through a Facebook page, and a Twitter handle by “Andy is missing” and is oblivious to what happened to her brother.