Regarded by certain individuals as a hero and criticized by others as a traitor, Hong Kong's pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai is currently in the concluding phase of his national security trial.
Closing arguments were set to begin on Thursday for Lai, who faces allegations of conspiring with foreign entities under a national security law imposed by Beijing.
However, the hearing has been rescheduled for Monday. It was initially postponed by a day due to a typhoon hitting Hong Kong.
On Friday, a judge requested another delay to allow for a medical device to be set up for monitoring Lai's heart. Lai's attorneys and his son Sebastien have expressed worries regarding his worsening health over the last year.
The 77-year-old looked significantly leaner when he showed up in court on Friday.
His trial has gained global interest, as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged for the release of Lai, a British citizen.
US President Donald Trump previously stated he would do "everything [he] can" to protect Jimmy Lai.
Lai has been held since December 2020 and could receive a life sentence if found guilty.
Critics argue that Lai's situation illustrates how Hong Kong's judicial system has been exploited to suppress political dissent.
Lai has continuously been a troublesome irritant for China. In contrast to other moguls who achieved success in Hong Kong, Mr. Lai emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the Chinese government and a prominent proponent of democracy in the former British territory.
"I'm a natural rebel," he stated to the BBC during a 2020 interview, just hours before facing charges
He is the most significant individual accused under the contentious national security law that China implemented in 2020, following extensive protests that began in Hong Kong the previous year.
The law punishes any activity that Beijing considers subversive or secessionist, including slogan chanting and involvement in pro-democracy demonstrations.
Beijing asserts that the national security law is essential for ensuring stability in Hong Kong, while opponents claim it has virtually criminalized opposition.
Throughout the years, Lai's son Sebastien has advocated for his freedom. In February, the younger Lai called on Starmer and US President Donald Trump to act promptly, noting that his father's "health is deteriorating".
PBeforeLai's trial, Sebastien mentioned to the BBC that receiving even five years in prison for his father would be "virtually equivalent to a death penalty."
"Considering his age, considering his health, yes." "He will perish while incarcerated," he stated.
Sebastien remarked that Lai's situation was "essential for China-UK relations." If Lai were to die, it would indicate that "as a nation [the UK] we failed to support one of our bravest when it counted," he stated.
From poverty to prosperity
Lai was born in Guangzhou, a southern Chinese city, to a prosperous family that lost it all when the communists gained control in 1949.
At the age of 12, he escaped his village in mainland China, reaching Hong Kong as a hidden passenger on a fishing vessel.
He taught himself English while doing odd jobs and knitting in a small clothing store. He transitioned from a low-level position to ultimately establishing a multi-million dollar empire that includes the global clothing brand Giordano.
The chain became a great success. However, when China deployed tanks to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, Lai embarked on a new path as an outspoken democracy advocate and entrepreneur.
He began penning articles denouncing the slaughter that ensued after the protests in Beijing and founded a publishing company that eventually turned into one of Hong Kong's most powerful
In response to China's threat to close his mainland stores, prompting him to sell the company, Lai initiated a series of popular pro-democracy publications, such as Next, a digital magazine, and the widely circulated Apple Daily newspaper.
Within a local media environment that is growing more apprehensive of Beijing, Lai consistently criticized Chinese officials via his writing and publications.
This has led him to be regarded as a hero by many in Hong Kong, who perceive him as a brave individual who undertook significant risks to protect the city's freedoms.
However, on the mainland, he is considered a "traitor" who poses a threat to Chinese national security.
In recent years, masked assailants set Lai's residence and business headquarters on fire. He was also the subject of a murder scheme.
However, none of the threats deterred him from expressing his opinions vigorously. He played a significant role in the city's pro-democracy protests and faced arrest twice in 2021 for illegal assembly.
When China enacted Hong Kong's new national security law in June 2020, Lai informed the BBC that it signaled the "death knell" for the region.
The prominent business leader also cautioned that Hong Kong risks becoming as corrupt as China. He stated that without the rule of law, its prized position as a global financial center would be "completely obliterated."
The media tycoon is recognized for his candor and displays of extravagance.
In 2021, he called on Donald Trump to assist the territory, stating he was "the only one who can rescue us" from China. His publication, Apple Daily, released a front-page letter that concluded: "Mr. President, please assist us."
For Lai, these actions were essential to protect the city that had welcomed him and contributed to his achievements.
He once said to the AFP news agency: "I arrived here with nothing; the liberty of this place has provided me with everything..." Perhaps it's time I repaid that liberty by standing up for it.
Lai has faced multiple charges - such as unauthorized gathering and fraud - since 2020.
He has been detained since December of that year.
Lai's prosecution has attracted global attention, as rights organizations and foreign nations call for his release.
Throughout the years, Sebastien Lai has journeyed globally to protest his father's detention and criticize Hong Kong for penalizing "traits that ought to be celebrated."
"My dad is imprisoned for the truth he speaks, bravery in his spirit, and liberty in his essence," he stated
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