Beijing’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong has slammed US politicians for “exonerating and glorifying” jailed former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying who is facing national security charges, urging them to stop interfering in the city and China’s affairs.

The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong issued a statement on Saturday, expressing its strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the US politicians who signed a letter to US President Donald Trump supporting Lai.

“Relevant US politicians have exonerated Jimmy Lai, shielded and glorified him, and interfered with the Special Administrative Region’s judiciary, seriously violating the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations of non-interference in internal affairs,” it said.

“This is a wrong act that deviates from the spirit of the rule of law and pursues ‘double standards’.”

Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, faces three conspiracy charges related to sedition and collusion with foreign forces for allegedly calling for international sanctions against authorities and inciting public hatred in the wake of anti-government protests in 2019.

The 77-year-old is the most prominent figure yet to be prosecuted under the national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing in 2020 to criminalise acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.