US government expresses concerns over arrests of Apple Daily owner Jimmy Lai and pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong

State Department says arrests could have ‘a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Hong Kong’

Several US republican lawmakers and Chris Patten, Hong Kong’s last governor during British rule, also join criticism

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Apple Daily owner Jimmy Lai and pro-democracy politicians Lee Cheuk-Yan and Yeung Sum at the anti-government protest in Central on August 31, 2019. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 3:54pm, 29 Feb 2020Updated: 12:54am, 1 Mar 2020

The United States government has expressed concerns over the arrests of media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and two veteran pro-democracy politicians over an unlawful assembly, saying the swoop poses implications for the city’s freedom.

In a brief statement released hours after the three were arrested on Friday, the US Department of State called on Hong Kong authorities not to use law enforcement “selectively for political purposes”.

The 71-year-old founder of the newspaper Apple Daily, and former pro-democracy lawmakers Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Sum were arrested for joining a rally, in the form of a prayer walk, from Southorn Playground in Wan Chai to Central on August 31 last year.

All three have been charged with taking part in an unauthorised march and will appear at Eastern Court on May 5. Lai separately faces one count of intimidating an Oriental Daily reporter using foul language on June 4, 2017.

“We expect the Hong Kong authorities not to use law enforcement selectively for political purposes, and to handle cases fairly and transparently in a manner that preserves the rule of law and the Hong Kong people’s universal rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.