Hong Kong authorities have hit back at US politicians’ “absurd and fact-twisting” allegations over the health of former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and their call for his unconditional release from prison.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong government described the resolution introduced in the United States House of Representatives as an attempt to pressure the city’s courts over Lai’s ongoing trial, accusing the body of “blatant hypocrisy and double standards” given the country’s own suspected human rights abuses.
“This is an obvious attempt to exert pressure on the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, completely disregarding the spirit of the rule of law,” he said.
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The spokesman was referring to the resolution introduced on Thursday by Select Committee on China chairman John Moolenaar and member Raja Krishnamoorthi, which condemned Hong Kong authorities over their treatment of Lai and demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
Refuting the claims, the city government spokesman said the allegation of Lai being prosecuted for his political views or participating in public interest issues was “untrue”, urging the politicians to respect the rule of law and judicial independence.
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The Hong Kong government “must solemnly point out that the suggestion that any persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons privileges to break the law”, he said.