(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said it is reasonable and fair for the 12 Hong Kong people who are being detained on the Mainland to face their legal liabilities there before they can return to Hong Kong.

Mrs Lam made the statement ahead of today’s Executive Council meeting in response to media queries about the case.

She said the 12 people are suspected to have committed serious crimes in Hong Kong, ranging from possession or making of explosives, possession of offensive weapons, riots and assault on police officers.

“They are on bail, but they have absconded. They have run away from their legal liabilities, but in the course of running away from their liabilities, they committed another crime in another jurisdiction.

“So isn’t it reasonable and fair that these 12 people should first face their legal liabilities in that other jurisdiction, according to the law?

“And thereafter, of course, we will arrange for them to come back to face the consequences,” Mrs Lam added.