Jimmy Lai's been in a Hong Kong prison for years. Ontario hotel owner's family, Niagara mayor urge his release | CBC News

"As G7 foreign ministers prepare to meet in Ontario's Niagara Region, family of hotel owner Jimmy Lai and Niagara-on-the-Lake's lord mayor are calling for the pro-democracy activist's release from a Hong Kong prison. Lai, who was arrested in 2020 and is being held in Lai Chi Kok prison, owns Vintage Hotels, a string of inns across the region. A British and Hong Kong citizen, he was founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily."

"Gary Zalepa, Niagara-on-the-Lake's lord mayor, said in a public letter published on Nov. 3 that Lai and his family have made a lasting contribution to our community. Lai and his family "have strengthened the local economy, created meaningful employment opportunities, and revitalized key heritage properties that attract visitors and sustain local businesses, said the letter, which was released before Niagara Region hosts the G7 security, prosperity and economic resilience forum next week."

"My uncle hasn't done anything wrong that we don't do in our own country on a daily basis, his niece, Erica Lepp, who lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake, told CBC News on Thursday. Zalepa said his support for Lai's release is grounded "in the belief that every person deserves fair treatment under the law," and that he also wrote to Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is set to host the G7 ministers' meeting."

Family members and the lord mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake are urging the release of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy activist and owner of Vintage Hotels detained in Lai Chi Kok prison. Lai was arrested in 2020, holds British and Hong Kong citizenship, and founded the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper. Relatives say Niagara-on-the-Lake is his Canadian home and emphasize the family's contributions to the local economy and heritage properties. Mayor Gary Zalepa published a letter and contacted Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand ahead of a G7 ministers' meeting. Family members express concern about Lai's health. Lai pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and an additional charge.

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