UK Demands Release of Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai

(MENAFN) The British foreign secretary on Monday criticized what she described as the "politically motivated" legal action against media magnate Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, urging authorities to set him free without delay.

In an official statement, Yvette Cooper stated that the UK condemned the "politically motivated" prosecution of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, accusing both the Chinese and Hong Kong administrations 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 claimed, highlighting that Britain has repeatedly demanded the repeal of the National Security Law and called for an end to prosecutions of all those charged under it.

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

The 78-year-old media entrepreneur, who also holds British citizenship, was found guilty on Monday on all three charges he faced, including "conspiring to collude with foreign forces" and sedition under colonial-era statutes.

He could face life imprisonment, and a four-day mitigation hearing is scheduled to begin on Jan. 12, according to a media outlet.

Lai was originally detained in 2020 under the National Security Law, which was introduced in the wake of anti-government demonstrations the previous year.

MENAFN15122025000045017167ID1110481768