Lai has been detained since the end of 2020 on charges of collusion, under the National Security Law imposed by the Chinese central government months before to repress an old-time and pro-democracy vacancy.
The Hong Kong government has ensured that Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has asked to be solitary since he was arrested four and a half years ago.
“The agreement for the removal of Lai Chee-Ying of the Association with other PIC [sigla em inglês para pessoas sob custódia] It was made at your own request, “the authorities of the Chinese semi -autonomous region said.
In a statement issued on Monday night, the Hong Kong government did not disclose the reasons presented to support Jimmy Lai’s defense request, which was not allowed to choose his defense lawyers.
But the authorities recalled that “the legal representative” of the entrepreneur “also publicly clarified that he is receiving proper treatment and care in prison.”
An Irish lawyer representing Jimmy Lai, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, however, told the Canadian newspaper “The Globe and Mail” on Monday to be very concerned about the health of the 77-year-old businessman who suffers from diabetes.
The Hong Kong government said the Correctional Services Department (CSD) “is committed to ensuring that the custody environment is safe, protected, human, appropriate and healthy.”
The department “implemented a mechanism to safeguard the rights of people in custody, including regular independent visitors, ie peace judges, who inspect prisons,” the authorities said.
“CSD consistently deals with matters related to lai chee-ying in strict compliance with these mechanisms,” said the government of the territory.
The statement came up hours after the organization of Human Rights International Human Rights published a report rejecting the accusations against Jimmy Lai, considering that they “relate to legitimate exercises of freedom of expression without inciting violence.”
Lai has been detained since the end of 2020 on charges of collusion, under the National Security Act imposed by the Chinese central government months earlier to repress an old-time and pro-democracy place.
Amnesty International concluded that of the 78 cases already completed under the National Security Law, at least 66 “involved only legitimate expression that should not have been criminalized, without evidence of violent conduct or incitement.”
In response, the Hong Kong government accused “anti-china organizations” and media “of making” irresponsible and absurd comments, distorting the truth about the national security case “involving Jimmy Lai,” with the intention of perverting the course of justice. “
On Monday, the European Union denounced a “continuous erosion of civil liberties” and “severe restrictions” to independent political opposition and civil society in Hong Kong, five years after the imposition of the National Security Act.
