DOJ 'appalled' At Demands To Release Jimmy Lai

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday said it’s "appalled" by overseas politicians who demanded that the authorities drop national security charges against and release pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

Lai is accused of colluding with foreign powers to endanger national security and he was denied bail after he appeared in court on Saturday morning.

In a statement, a DOJ spokesman said: "We are appalled by such open demands for withdrawal of charge and immediate release of the defendant by senior officials in another jurisdiction. Such acts not only disrespect the HKSAR's judicial system and undermine the spirit of the rule of law, but also attempt to meddle in Hong Kong's affairs which are internal affairs of the People's Republic of China."

"Any demands or statements that purport to interfere with the prosecutorial decision and process controlled by the DOJ or the independent exercise of judicial power by the judiciary of the HKSAR will be futile," he added, stressing that all prosecutions are without political consideration and it has nothing to do with people's political belief.

US Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have both weighed in on the matter, with Pence calling the charges against Lai "an affront to freedom loving people and everywhere."

Pompeo said Hong Kong’s national security law "makes a mockery of justice" and Lai’s only crime is "speaking the truth about the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarianism and fear of freedom." He called on Hong Kong to drop charges against Lai and release him.

Nabila Massrali, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, said the prosecution is another concerning development for Hong Kong’s civil society and pro-democracy voices.