The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has strongly condemned certain media, including Agence France-Presse, for their fact-twisting reports regarding the national security case involving Lai Chee-ying, also known as Jimmy Lai, and the treatment he is receiving during his detention.
The reports seek to smear Hong Kong by misleading the public into believing that the custodial and medical arrangements for Lai Chee-ying have been poor, the government said, adding that their despicable intent to vilify the city’s rule of law is blatant and violates the professional conduct of journalists.
"The Correctional Services Department (CSD) and relevant units handle the custodial arrangements for Lai Chee-ying in the same way as other persons-in-custody (PICs). His legal representatives have also made it clear that he has all along been receiving appropriate treatment and care in prison,” a government spokesman said in a statement issued on Wednesday night.
Stressing that the “false” reports do not have any factual basis at all, the spokesman said the CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate, and healthy for persons-in-custody – regardless of the identities, ages, and nationalities. This includes good ventilation, appropriate and timely medical support, as well as religious services, it added.
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“The CSD also provides PICs with healthy food in accordance with legal requirements, which are in line with existing international health guidelines. The CSD has also put in place an established mechanism, including regular independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace, who inspect the prisons to ensure the rights of PICs are protected.”
The HKSAR government emphasized that it is inappropriate to comment on the case in an attempt to interfere with the court in exercising judicial power independently, which might otherwise constitute perverting the course of justice, as the legal proceedings involving Jimmy Lai are still ongoing.
“Nevertheless, relevant media continue to distort the facts, blatantly smear Lai Chee-ying's detention conditions and medical arrangements, and attempt to exert pressure on the courts of the HKSAR,” the spokesman said, adding that such acts must be sternly denounced to set the record straight.
