- Jimmy Lai, 77, has spent over 1,500 days in solitary confinement
- Faces life sentence under Hong Kong's national security law
- Case sparks international condemnation over press freedom erosion
- U.S. and U.K. governments demand immediate release
Sebastien Lai voiced urgent concerns about his father's survival during a Washington press conference, revealing the Apple Daily founder's prison conditions lack natural light and adequate medical care. The 77-year-old diabetic publisher faces charges of colluding with foreign forcesand sedition, with closing arguments scheduled for August 2024.
Hong Kong authorities claim Lai requested solitary confinement, a statement his son calls completely insane.Amnesty International reports Lai has already received cumulative sentences exceeding seven years across four separate cases, including fraud related to office lease agreements.
The trial marks a pivotal moment for Hong Kong's judiciary, with over 200 media outlets shuttered since the 2020 national security law implementation. Comparative analysis shows a 300% increase in sedition charges against journalists across Asian territories with similar legislation.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to secure Lai's release if re-elected, while current Hong Kong leader John Lee condemns foreign interference. U.N. human rights experts warn the case sets dangerous precedents for global press freedom, particularly affecting aging political detainees.