Post by : Meena Ariff

The daughter of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has issued a renewed and emotional warning about her father’s rapidly declining health, saying years in prison have severely weakened him and left his condition worsening with time.

Jimmy Lai, 78, has been in custody since December 2020 and now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison after being convicted under Hong Kong’s controversial national security law. His daughter, Claire Lai, who is living in exile in London, says she fears she may never see her father again outside prison walls.

Claire described her father as a physically strong and resilient man before his arrest, but said his health has deteriorated dramatically while in detention. She revealed that Lai has lost a significant amount of weight and developed serious medical conditions that he never previously suffered from, including diabetes and heart-related issues.

According to her, his physical condition has reached an alarming state. She said his fingernails have turned a purplish-grey colour and sometimes fall off, his teeth are decaying, and he frequently suffers from intense back and waist pain. On some days, she said, he struggles to stand, cannot get out of bed, or is unable to move without pain.

The Lai family has repeatedly raised concerns about his health, warning that his body is slowly breaking down in custody. They have urged authorities to consider his age and medical condition, stressing that prolonged imprisonment could be life-threatening. Despite these concerns, Hong Kong and Chinese officials continue to deny any mistreatment, maintaining that Lai’s rights are protected and that he is in good health under lawful detention conditions.

Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and the founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is the most prominent individual charged under the national security law introduced in 2020 following mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Critics argue the law has effectively silenced dissent and eroded press freedom, while Beijing insists it is necessary to maintain order and stability in the city.

The UK government has strongly criticised Lai’s conviction, describing it as politically motivated and a violation of freedom of expression. British officials have called for the national security law to be repealed and for an end to prosecutions under it. Lai’s family is now urging British leaders to raise his case at the highest diplomatic level, hoping that international pressure could help secure his release before his health deteriorates further.

#Global News