US EditionG7 foreign ministers condemn conviction of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai
G7 foreign ministers denounce the conviction under Hong Kong's national security law and urge immediate release, citing concerns over rights erosion and media freedom decline.
- On Dec. 17, 2025, G7 foreign ministers in Ottawa condemned Jimmy Lai's conviction, called for his immediate release, and expressed concern about deteriorating rights and autonomy in Hong Kong.
- The Beijing-imposed National Security Law provided the legal basis for Lai's conviction after a trial lasting more than 1 year and an 855-page judgment.
- A four-day mitigation hearing on January 12 will determine Jimmy Lai's sentence as his family and legal team cite frail health and harsh detention conditions while he faces life imprisonment.
- Against international criticism, local authorities framed the judgment as justice served, with Chief Executive John Lee and Hong Kong policy bureaus backing the ruling while Britain called it politically motivated and the European Union cited democracy erosion.
- Analysts warn Lai's fate could become a long-term diplomatic irritant as observers say the landmark case intensifies scrutiny of Hong Kong's judicial independence amid a crackdown.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Hong Kong gov’t hits out at Amnesty International report on ‘inhumane treatment’ in local prisons
Hong Kong authorities have condemned a recent report by Amnesty International accusing local prisons of being “rife with violence and inhumane treatment.” A Correctional Services Department vehicle. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The Amnesty report, released on Wednesday, was described by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as “fact-twisting” and intended to “smear” legitimate custodial management. In a statement issued on Thursday evening, t…
Son of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai denounces political persecution
Foreign ministers from the G7 on December 17 condemned the prosecution of Hong Kong journalist and media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces this week. His son, Sebastien Lai, told FRANCE 24 that his father is being persecuted by the Chinese authorities because he ran the famous pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, adding that the trial produced 'more than 100 pages of nothing'. Sebastian Lai's presence …
Media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty on Monday of publishing 160 news articles. He faces life in prison. At the same time, China is accused of torturing prisoners and persecuting Hong Kong activists abroad.
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