Police today refuted claims they conspired to kidnap 12 Hong Kong residents detained by Mainland authorities for crossing the boundary illegally.

Commissioner of Police Tang Ping-keung told reporters this afternoon that the kidnapping accusation made by Joshua Wong was a malicious one.

“I have to make it very clear that this is solely the Mainland authorities' operation. It has nothing to do with Hong Kong Police.

“You talk about the malicious accusation by Joshua Wong, I think he is accusing us of conspiring to kidnap those 12 criminals back to Mainland China.

“It is very obvious that no one kidnapped them. They did their own desertion or absconsion away from the criminal proceedings in Hong Kong.”

On whether Police deployed the Government Flying Service to monitor the 12 suspects leaving Hong Kong, Mr Tang said to ensure the integrity of police operations they could not disclose operational details, as per the usual practice.

Regarding the progress of homicide case suspect Chan Tong-kai’s surrender, he said the Security Bureau is dealing with the issue, but that the force is always ready to offer assistance.