EU calls for ‘immediate’ release of Jimmy Lai after ‘politically motivated prosecution’ – Europe live | World news
EU calls for Jimmy Lai’s ‘immediate and unconditional’ release after prison sentence
The European Union called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison.The harshest sentence for national security crimes in Hong Kong.
In a strongly worded statement published nowA spokesman for the EU’s diplomatic service said the EU “regrets the heavy prison sentence” and called for his immediate release “taking into account his advanced age and state of health”.
He added:
“Politically motivated investigation From Jimmy Lai and former Apple Daily executives and journalists It damages Hong Kong’s reputation.
The EU calls on Hong Kong authorities:Restoring confidence in press freedom in Hong KongOne of the pillars of its historical success as an international financial center and Stop judging journalists.”
important events
EU leaders congratulated Portugal’s new president Seguro
Many EU leaders took to social media this morning to extend their congratulations to Portugal’s new president, Seguro. praising him for his resounding victory over his far-right rival.
President of the European Council Antonio Costa, who beat Seguro to be the Socialist Party’s candidate for prime minister in 2015, said:
“I congratulate António José Seguro on being elected President of the Portuguese Republic and wish him success in fulfilling his mandate. Today, the Portuguese people have demonstrated their commitment to democracy and reaffirmed that Portugal is a pillar of European humanism.”
president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in question:
“Congratulations, António José Seguro, on your election as President of Portugal. Portuguese citizens spoke and showed remarkable democratic resilience in the face of the devastation wrought by the storms. Portugal’s voice on our common European values remains strong.”
prime minister of spain Pedro Sánchez in question:
“Congratulations, Portugal’s new President António José Seguro! Social democracy advances with your victory.”
A number of other national leaders, including the president of Romania Nicusor Dan and Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, He also expressed his congratulations.
Portugal elects socialist president but far-right rival reaches record vote share
Sam Jones
Meanwhile In Portugal, moderate socialist António José Seguro achieved a major victory by defeating his far-right rival André Ventura in the second round of the country’s presidential elections on Sunday. The Chega party still managed to get a record vote share.
Voting to elect the successor of the outgoing president, Marcelo Rebelo de SousaIt was marked by a cross-party push to eliminate the possibility of a Chega victory, with some senior right-wing figures throwing their weight behind the center-left candidate to prevent Ventura from entering the presidential palace.
Seguro won the election with 66.8% of the votes to Ventura’s 33.2%. continued despite weeks of disruption caused by deadly storms.
“The reaction of the Portuguese people today, their commitment to freedom, democracy and the future of our country, naturally touched me and made me proud of our nation,” Seguro said.
Ventura, a former football pundit, columnist, theologian and novelist who founded Chega seven years ago, said the result showed that: “The message of the Portuguese people is clear,” he said, adding that Chega was now the main party on the right and “will soon rule Portugal”.
Earlier on Sunday, he accused the “entire political system” of uniting against him.
Media watchdog RSF says it is ‘outraged’ by Lai’s ‘harsh’ sentence
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also condemned the 20-year prison sentence given to Jimmy Lai and called on Britain and others to “intervene” in the case. case.
“Today, the curtain falls on press freedom in Hong Kong. We are outraged by the harsh sentences given to Jimmy Lai.” RSF general director Thibaut Bruttin he said in a statement reported by AFP.
“Democracies like the UK and the US should stop prioritizing normalization of relations with China “Instead, put pressure on the Chinese regime and Hong Kong authorities to ensure the release of Jimmy Lai and all other journalists from prison,” he added.
Lai’s son warns Hong Kong court ruling means ‘life imprisonment’ as ‘time is up’
Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai’s son I was just talking to BBC News, He gives his first reaction to the punishment his father received in one night.
He said:
“His frankly heartbreaking but unfortunately not unexpected. Look, I think what was unexpected was that it took five years to get to this point. “My father spent the last five years in solitary confinement in a maximum security prison.”
HE He warned that, given his father’s age and health, it could actually be a “life sentence.”
“Unfortunately, My father’s time is running out. Considering the circumstances, the clock is ticking on his age and heart problems. He lost ten kilos in the last year alone. Time is not on his side.”
He added:
“At a time when we are talking about closer relations with China, normalization of relations…despite all the national security concerns that we rightfully have in this country… If they can’t even put a 78-year-old man who has committed no crime in prison More than giving everything the people of Hong Kong need to stand up for their freedom and liberty on a plane and I’m sending it back here, especially given his deteriorating health, “This tells you everything you need to know about our relationship with China.”
Ukraine faces ‘one of the most difficult electricity situations’ during the war, Lviv mayor warns
Yakup Krupa
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi warned This morning Ukraine faces “one of the most difficult electricity situations in the last four years” As we approach the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian offensive later this month.
At least three people died in Russia’s latest attack overnight Odessa And KharkivLocal authorities reported.
Ukrainian The country wants to speed up peace talks with Russia and the USA after its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy He announced that the US administration has given Ukraine and Russia another deadline to reach a peace agreement and is now proposing to end the war by June.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha In a statement on Sunday, he thanked US leadership on the issue and said Kiev was “ready to step up peace efforts.”
“It is up to Russia to show its willingness to pursue diplomacy instead of war. So far we can only see new attacks and ignore peace efforts,” he said.
He repeated his words Call for more pressure on Moscow “So that he can start taking his peace efforts seriously.”
Elsewhere, We will look at the reactions to last night’s presidential vote in Portugal. and other stories spread across the continent.
His Monday, February 9, 2026, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
EU calls for Jimmy Lai’s ‘immediate and unconditional’ release after prison sentence
The European Union called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison.The harshest sentence for national security crimes in Hong Kong.
In a strongly worded statement published nowA spokesman for the EU’s diplomatic service said the EU “regrets the heavy prison sentence” and called for his immediate release “taking into account his advanced age and state of health”.
He added:
“Politically motivated investigation From Jimmy Lai and former Apple Daily executives and journalists It damages Hong Kong’s reputation.
The EU calls on Hong Kong authorities:Restoring confidence in press freedom in Hong KongOne of the pillars of its historical success as an international financial center and Stop judging journalists.”
