US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denounced the 20-year sentence handed down to Jimmy Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily, in Hong Kong.
Rubio said in a statement on Monday that the decision by the Hong Kong High Court “is an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case.” Lai was convicted of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.
Rubio said, “It shows the world that Beijing will go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.” He called for Lai to be granted humanitarian parole and released, saying he and his family have suffered enough.
US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment when Lai was convicted in December, referring to the defendant’s advanced age and poor health. Trump has said he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider releasing Lai.
Lai’s son described the prison sentence as “life-threatening” for his father. Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary of Hong Kong’s former colonial ruler, Britain, also called for his release.
However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that Beijing “firmly supports” Hong Kong “in safeguarding national security and punishing criminal activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law.”