(Washington) The United States on Sunday called for the immediate release of Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, shortly before the start of his trial in the Chinese city on national security charges that could land him in prison in life.
“We urge authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong to respect press freedom in Hong Kong,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
“We call on the Hong Kong authorities to immediately release Jimmy Lai and all others imprisoned for defending their rights. »
The tycoon whose trial opens Monday in Hong Kong is accused of “collusion with foreign forces” among other attacks on national security and risks life in prison.
Mr. Lai, who has just turned 76, has already been imprisoned for three years under a radical national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, a year after major pro-democracy protests.
“The United States condemns the prosecution of democracy advocate and media owner Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong under the PRC (People’s Republic of China) national security law,” added Matthew Miller .
The spokesperson noted that measures to restrict the free flow of information in the city and changes to its electoral system had “damaged Hong Kong’s democratic institutions as well as Hong Kong’s reputation by as an international commercial and financial center.
The United States, Britain, the European Union and the United Nations have all expressed concerns over Jimmy Lai’s case, which Beijing considers defamation and interference.
Since Hong Kong’s national security law took effect in 2020, rights advocates say it has effectively muzzled dissent and reduced civil liberties.