Britain calls for Jimmy Lai's release on 'humanitarian grounds'

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged the release of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Lai, a British citizen, denies the charges and calls himself a political prisoner facing persecution from Beijing.

Reuters

9 February 2026 at 07:05:58

Britain calls for Jimmy Lai's release on 'humanitarian grounds'

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper delivers a statement on Arctic Security, at the House of Commons in London, Britain, January 19, 2026

House of Commons/Reuters

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Monday called for the release of China critic and Hong Kong democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one for publishing seditious materials.

Lai, a British citizen, has denied all the charges against him, saying in court he is a "political prisoner" facing persecution from Beijing.

-Reporting By Jessie Pang and Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Sonali Paul/Reuters