Jimmy Lai with a holter for the final phase of his trial

Concern is growing around the world about the health of the 77-year-old businessman, a symbol of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, who has been imprisoned for nearly 1,700 days under China’s national security law. The prosecution began its closing arguments in a trial that has dragged on since December 2023 and could end with a life sentence. The verdict, handed down by three judges specifically selected by the pro-Beijing camp, is expected in October.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Jimmy Lai was in court today with a holter, a portable heart monitoring device, after experiencing palpitations in recent days, but was "physically and mentally fit" to stand trial, according to a prison medical officer.

The 77-year-old Catholic entrepreneur founded the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, which was forced to close, and is now on trial on charges of "conspiring with foreign forces" under Beijing's draconian 2020 national security law.

Lai went before the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court today for the start of the final phase of his most important trial, for which he faces a life sentence. Visibly weakened by his detention, he clasped hands in greetings and thanks to his friends present in the public section of the courtroom.

The hearing was postponed twice last week, first due to a violent storm that hit Hong Kong and then, at the defence's request, due to concerns about Jimmy Lai's health. Despite his advanced age and diabetes, he has been held in prison continuously for nearly 1,700 days, ever since he was denied bail in December 2020.

Speaking from exile, his son Sebastian Lai has repeatedly expressed fears that his father might die in prison. In recent days, several appeals have been made around the world for his release, with US President Donald Trump himself saying: “I’m going to do everything I can to save him.”

Meanwhile, the trial in Hong Kong, which began in December 2023, is proceeding as planned, another example of what happens in cases of “threats to national security”.

On the first day, the prosecutor laid out the charges of "conspiracy" against Jimmy Lai by citing his connections with figures linked in the US administration to get the United States to impose sanctions on Hong Kong in response to the repression of pro-democracy movements.

The whole thing was peppered with lengthy disquisitions on the definitions of "collusion" and "hostile actions," with no intention of taking seriously the objection that almost all contacts and appeals to the international community dated back to the period before the national security law came into force.

Late in the afternoon, the hearing was adjourned until tomorrow. The trial is scheduled to continue for several days. The verdict is not expected before October.

The decision will be handed down by a panel of three judges specially selected by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, who are unlikely to deviate from the "exemplary" sentence the pro-Beijing machine wants.

• hong kong
• national security law
• jimmy lai
• trial
• collusion
• foreign powers