US President Donald Trump has voiced support for the release of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who has been imprisoned under the city’s controversial national security law. Trump’s remarks, reported by Reuters, came on Saturday as Lai awaits a verdict in a high-profile trial that has drawn international attention.
Why Was Jimmy Lai Arrested?
Jimmy Lai was arrested in August 2020 and faces two charges of “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” under Hong Kong’s national security law. The law, introduced by Beijing after the 2019 pro-democracy protests, has been widely criticized by human rights groups for curbing freedoms in the semi-autonomous city.
Prosecutors allege that Lai used his now-defunct newspaper, Apple Daily, to promote anti-government sentiment and encourage foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong. They claim his actions amounted to collusion with external powers — a serious offense under the law.
The trial, which began in December 2023, reached a key stage in August this year when judges completed hearing arguments from both sides. “We will inform the parties in good time,” said Judge Esther Toh, according to AFP, regarding when the verdict will be announced.
Jimmy Lai’s Health During the Trial
Lai’s defense team revealed that the 76-year-old businessman had been experiencing heart palpitations and once felt as if he were “collapsing.” After receiving medical attention and wearing a heart rate monitor, he continued to attend court sessions without showing visible discomfort. Despite his health challenges, Lai remains resolute, pleading not guilty to all charges.
If convicted, he could face life imprisonment — one of the harshest penalties under Hong Kong’s national security law.
Who Is Jimmy Lai?
Jimmy Lai’s life is a classic rags-to-riches story. Born in mainland China, he fled to then-British Hong Kong as a child in the 1950s. Over the decades, he built a successful business empire and founded Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper that often criticized Beijing’s policies.
Before his arrest, Lai was celebrated as one of Hong Kong’s few business leaders openly defying the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). His vocal support for the pro-democracy movement made him both a hero to activists and a target for authorities.
“From Beijing’s perspective, Jimmy Lai stands out as he is the highest profile and [most] persistent tycoon who used his fortune to support the democracy movement in Hong Kong,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute, to Al Jazeera. “To them, this makes Lai a traitor who must be severely punished.”
Hong Kong Government’s Response
Hong Kong authorities maintain that Lai’s case is based purely on legal grounds. The government said it is being “handled strictly based on evidence and in accordance with the law,” dismissing international criticism as a “smear campaign.”
Officials also warned that public comments on the case could be seen as attempts to interfere with the judiciary and might “constitute perverting the court of justice.”
The Hong Kong government continues to defend the national security law, arguing it restored order after the 2019 unrest. However, international observers say the law has silenced dissent and undermined the city’s autonomy.
