Claire Lai, the daughter of Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy tycoon currently imprisoned in Hong Kong, has raised serious concerns about her father's declining health. Speaking to the BBC, she reported that her father, who has been behind bars since December 2020, is experiencing issues such as weight loss, rotting teeth, and fingernails that sometimes fall off.
Currently 78 years old, Lai was convicted of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong's controversial National Security Law (NSL) and could face life imprisonment. Hong Kong authorities have insisted that he is being treated well and is in good health, contradicting the family's assertions.
In her urgent plea, Claire Lai expressed fears about her father's health, revealing that he has diabetes and previously undiagnosed heart problems, and now struggles with severe pain that prevents him from standing at times. She worries that he might become a martyr and fears seeing him again.
Lai's family has continually raised alarms regarding his health, with his son Sebastien noting that his father's condition is deteriorating. Despite familial accounts, Chinese authorities maintain that Lai's rights are upheld and that he is receiving appropriate care in custody.
Jimmy Lai, a UK citizen and one of the most high-profile figures charged under the NSL, was previously known for his advocacy of press freedoms in Hong Kong. His conviction has been labeled as "politically motivated persecution" by UK officials, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding free speech in the region.
The impending meeting of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping has led Lai's family to urge the UK government to advocate for his release during diplomatic discussions.
