G7 condemns prosecution of Jimmy Lai, calls for his release

G7 foreign ministers condemn Hong Kong’s prosecution of Jimmy Lai, calling for his immediate release and warning of declining rights and freedoms in the city.

Reuters

17 December 2025 at 17:12:01

A book about media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, lies on a table where former Apple Daily reporters work in Taipei, Taiwan, December 15, 2025.

Ann Wang/Reuters

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven on Wednesday condemned the prosecution of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces this week.

"We continue to express our concerns about deteriorating rights, freedoms and autonomy in Hong Kong ... we call on the Hong Kong authorities to end such prosecutions and to release Jimmy Lai immediately," they said in a statement.

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven on Wednesday condemned the prosecution of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces this week.