HKSAR gov't decries smearing attacks against verdict on Jimmy Lai by Western diplomats

HONG KONG, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday strongly denounced and firmly opposed slanders and smears made by the foreign ministers of the G7 as well as the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy against the lawful verdict on Jimmy Lai.

They showed no respect for the fact that charges had been laid against Lai and other defendants by the Department of Justice entirely based on evidence and for public interest, said a spokesperson for the HKSAR government.

There was no respect for the court of the HKSAR, which had exercised judicial power independently and strictly based on facts and evidence, the spokesperson said, pointing out their refusal to acknowledge the evidence set out in the reasons for the verdict or to understand the court's considerations and rationale.

Instead, they wantonly vilified the HKSAR prosecutorial and judicial bodies' discharge of their duties in accordance with the law as "undermining rights and freedoms," and continued to launch groundless attacks against the HKSAR, the spokesperson noted, adding that these acts are despicable.

The HKSAR government urged relevant countries to immediately cease actions that violate international law and the fundamental principles of international relations, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, said the spokesperson.■