• Chinese Foreign Ministry says prosecution of Lai ‘justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach’

ISTANBUL / LONDON

The British foreign secretary on Monday condemned what she called the "politically motivated" prosecution of media mogul Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, urging authorities to release him immediately.

In a statement, Yvette Cooper said Britain condemned the "politically motivated" prosecution of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, accusing the Chinese and Hong Kong governments of "targeting" him for "peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression."

"Beijing’s National Security Law was imposed on Hong Kong to silence China’s critics," she alleged, recalling that the UK has repeatedly called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.

"We continue to call for Mr Lai’s immediate release, for all necessary treatment and for full access to independent medical professionals," added Cooper.

The 78-year-old media tycoon, who is also a British national, was found guilty on Monday on all three counts he was facing, including "conspiring to collude with foreign forces" as well as sedition under colonial-era legislation.

He faces a maximum life sentence, and a four-day mitigation hearing will begin on Jan. 12, according to the Hong Kong Free Press.

He was arrested in 2020 under the National Security Law, which was enacted following anti-government protests the previous year.

Prosecution of Lai ‘justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach,’ says Beijing

In response to the UK's condemnation of Lai's prosecution, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Hong Kong "upholds the rule of law," and that the Central Government "firmly supports" the city government "in safeguarding national security."

“China deplores and firmly opposes certain country blatantly making false accusations against Hong Kong’s judicial affairs. Judicial authorities in Hong Kong SAR fulfill their duties, safeguard the authority of the law and defend national security in accordance with the law,” Guo said.

“This is justified, legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach. The relevant judicial case is purely Hong Kong’s internal affair,” he told a news conference in Beijing.

“We urge relevant country to respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and refrain from making irresponsible remarks on the trial of judicial cases in Hong Kong SAR or meddling in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and interfering in China’s internal affairs in any form.”