Dec 17 (Reuters) - ‌Foreign ​ministers from ‌the Group ​of Seven on ‍Wednesday condemned ​the ​prosecution ⁠of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, who was ‌found guilty of collusion ​with ‌foreign forces ‍this week.

Several former colleagues of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai at the Apple Daily newspaper reacted with dismay at his national security conviction, fearing Lai and other former staffers may be given a heavy sentence but saying he remains an inspiration.

Family members and friends of Jimmy Lai, a businessman and a pro-democracy newspaper owner in Hong Kong, are holding out hope that he can still be

He attributed his rags-to-riches ascent to the freedoms of Hong Kong, and has paid a hefty price for defending them.

Mr Lai’s case looks likely to establish new precedents both legally and socially. The party’s control centres on a national-security law ( NSL ). It was promulgated by the national parliament in Beijing in 2020 in the wake of the unrest in Hong Kong the year before.

Global reaction is growing after Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty of sedition and foreign collusion. US President Donald Trump, the UK government and the EU have called for his release,