Anger erupts over the ‘show trial’ of a Hong Kong media tycoon as David Cameron calls the proceedings ‘politically motivated’

• Jimmy Lai was arrested in 2020 during pro-democracy protests crackdown

The trial of a Hong Kong media tycoon for ‘national security crimes’ began yesterday amid widespread international condemnation.

Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, has described the prosecution of Jimmy Lai, who faces a possible life sentence, as ‘politically motivated’.

Mr Lai, 76, who published the now defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was arrested in 2020 following a crackdown on pro-democracy protests in the former British colony. 

He is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish seditious publications.

Lord Cameron has described the prosecution of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai as ‘politically motivated’

Mr Lai, 76, who published the now defunct Apple Daily newspaper, is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish seditious publications

His son Sebastien Lai, who met Lord Cameron last week, told the BBC’s Today programme: ‘This is entirely a show trial, there is no jury and three government-appointed judges.’

Lord Cameron said: ‘As a prominent and outspoken journalist and publisher, Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association.

‘I urge the Chinese authorities to repeal the national security law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.’

Source: Read Full Article