Feb 9 (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s most vocal China critic, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in jail, ending the city’s biggest national security case which drew international concern about Beijing’s clampdown on the city’s freedoms and autonomy.
Here is reaction to the sentence from domestic and world figures:
YVETTE COOPER, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY:
“For the 78-year-old, this is tantamount to a life sentence.
“I remain deeply concerned for Mr Lai’s health, and I again call on the Hong Kong authorities to end his appalling ordeal and release him on humanitarian grounds, so that he may be returned to his family. Following today’s sentencing, we will rapidly engage further on Mr Lai’s case.”
JOHN LEE, HONG KONG LEADER:
“Jimmy Lai’s crimes are heinous and utterly unforgivable.
“His 20‑year sentence demonstrates the rule of law, delivers justice, and is gratifying to the public.”
RICK SCOTT, U.S. REPUBLICAN SENATOR:
“Tonight, my friend Jimmy Lai was unjustly sentenced by Communist China to 20 years in prison for the ‘crime’ of daring to think differently from the CCP and refusing to use his newspaper to spread CCP propaganda.
“We will not forget what Xi and his thugs have done to Jimmy and so many political prisoners. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The world is watching, and we know the truth: Jimmy Lai is innocent, and he should be home with his family tonight, not in the hands of Xi’s thuggish regime.”
SEBASTIEN LAI, JIMMY LAI’S SON:
“Sentencing my father to this draconian prison sentence is devastating for our family and life-threatening for my father.
“It signifies the total destruction of the Hong Kong legal system and the end of justice.
“After more than five years of relentlessly persecuting my father, it is time for China to do the right thing and release him before it is too late.”
TAIWAN’S CHINA POLICY-MAKING MAINLAND AFFAIRS COUNCIL:
“Taiwan’s people should take Hong Kong’s painful experience as a lesson and safeguard the hard-won freedoms of daily life.”
STEVE LI, CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, NATIONAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG POLICE:
“Regarding the discussion about whether Jimmy Lai will spend the rest of his life in prison, I believe that no one can tell right now, only heaven knows. But I would like to say that the sentence he received, he deserves it very much.”
JODIE GINSBERG, CEO, COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISM:
“The rule of law has been completely shattered in Hong Kong.
“Today’s egregious decision is the final nail in the coffin for freedom of the press in Hong Kong. The international community must step up its pressure to free Jimmy Lai if we want press freedom to be respected anywhere in the world.”
CAOILFHIONN GALLAGHER, LEAD COUNSEL ON LAI’S INTERNATIONAL LEGAL TEAM:
“Today marks the final blow to the rule of law in Hong Kong.
“Sentencing Jimmy Lai, already aged 78, to two decades behind bars is an affront to justice, and the culmination of over five years of malicious lawfare against a courageous, elderly British citizen and prisoner of conscience.
“Now that this sham trial is finally over, we call on leaders from around the world to speak with one voice in their demand for China to free Jimmy Lai.”
ELAINE PEARSON, ASIA DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH:
“The harsh 20-year sentence against 78-year-old Jimmy Lai is effectively a death sentence. A sentence of this magnitude is both cruel and profoundly unjust.
“Lai’s years of persecution show the Chinese government’s determination to crush independent journalism and silence anyone who dares to criticise the Communist Party.”
(Reporting by Jessie Pang, James Pomfret and Farah Master; Comprised by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Michael Perry, Christian Schmollinger and Clarence Fernandez)
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