The high-profile trial of former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai began today under tight security (Jimmy Lai)who is accused of violating the controversial national security law.

The 76-year-old Lai appeared before a court in the West Kowloon district earlier this morning, according to the South China Morning Post and other media.

Local media reported that long queues of citizens were forming outside the courtroom seeking a seat in the audience.

Hong Kong

The “Navalny” of Hong Kong

Lai is the founder of the Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Dailywhich was forced to close after being targeted by the authorities for alleged violations of the National Security Law.

Under this law, it is charged for conspiracy with foreign powerswhich carries the maximum penalty lifetime imprisonment.

He is also charged with sedition under a law that remains in place since Hong Kong was a British colony and which authorities have used in recent years to silence dissidents.

Awaiting his trial, he has already been held for at least three years – the longest of which in solitary confinement.

In the meantime, it has be convicted for many other categories, including for alleged violation of the lease terms of the Apple Daily offices and for participation in an anniversary mobilization for the events in Tiananmen.

A one of the most prominent critics of the Chinese Communist Party in Hong KongLai has stated innocent against all the charges he faces in the new trial.

Reactions from the US and Britain

Foreign envoys and officials say Lai’s trial is a crucial test of Hong Kong’s judicial independence and freedoms after the controversial law is enforced in 2020.

Britain appealed to Hong Kong to release Lai.

David Cameron, who became foreign secretary in November, toughened Britain’s stance yesterday by openly calling for the release of Lai, who holds British citizenship.

His son Sebastian Lai, who has met with Cameron to discuss the case, has previously criticized Britain for being “too weak” to defend his father.

“As a prominent and outspoken journalist and publisher Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association,” Cameron said in a statement, adding “I call on the Hong Kong authorities to stop the prosecution of Jimmy Lai and release him.”

Cameron said the National Security Act was a “clear violation” of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which returned Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule more than 25 years ago under an agreement that provides for a large degree of autonomy. including freedom of speech based on the “one country, two systems” model.

“(The National Security Law) has destroyed Hong Kong with rights and freedoms significantly undermined. I call on the Chinese authorities to withdraw the National Security Law and prosecute all people charged under it,” he added.

In the past, China has responded to similar criticism by accusing Britain of operating on a colonialist agenda.

And today, Beijing described their reactions as a “flagrant political maneuver”. USA and Britain in the trial of the tycoon in favor of Jimmy Lai, whose release both countries demanded.

“The comments of the United States and the United Kingdom on this matter are a serious violation of the spirit of the rule of law and the principles of international law (…). They are a blatant political maneuver,” said Wang Wenbin, the spokesman for Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.