The Hong Kong government has strongly condemned organisations in the West for slandering and smearing SAR authorities for handling the national security case of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai and his custodial arrangements.

In a statement on Wednesday, the administration said the remarks by foreign groups "fully exposed the malicious and despicable intentions of anti-China organisations and media from the US and Western countries to undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong".

A government spokesperson said foreign organisations primarily from the United States and Western countries have made "false and misleading statements by fabricating information" about the treatment provided to Lai during his custody, in an attempt to "glorify criminal behaviour and exert pressure on the courts".

"In fact, [Lai's] actual legal representative has already made a clarification earlier that [Lai] has all along been receiving suitable treatment and care in prison," the spokesperson said.

"However, the organisations from the US and Western countries choose to turn a blind eye to these facts and evidence, and carry on with their malicious political manoeuvres with ulterior motives."

The spokesperson went on to say the Correctional Services Department attaches great importance to the safety and health of people in custody, adding that arrangements for Lai were "no different" from those applicable to others.

It also said the arrangement for the former media tycoon to be disassociated from others behind bars has "all along been made at his own request" and was approved by the department.