12 HONG KONGERS CAUGHT FLEEING FACE CHARGES

HONG KONG Chinese authorities said on Friday they were set to charge 12 people from Hong Kong with border violations after they were detained in China more than three months ago while trying to flee from the city by speedboat.

The 12, who had all faced charges in Hong Kong linked to anti-government protests, have been held virtually incommunicado in a mainland prison since they were detained at sea.

They face charges of illegal border crossing and organizing an illicit border crossing, which could carry a sentence of up to seven years in jail, mainland authorities said.

The 11 men and one woman were captured by the Chinese coast guard on Aug. 23. The youngest is 16.