Jimmy Lai Trial Enters Final Stretch As Trump Says He Hopes To 'save' Hong Kong Pro-democracy Tycoon

HONG KONG — The marathon nationalist information proceedings of pro-democracy activistic Jimmy Lai is nearing conclusion successful Hong Kong arsenic President Donald Trump vowed to “do everything I tin to save” nan media tycoon from what critics opportunity is governmental persecution by Chinese authorities.

Closing arguments successful nan landmark trial, which began successful December 2023, were group to statesman this week aft a five-month break pursuing nan extremity of Lai’s grounds successful March. But they were postponed doubly connected Thursday and Friday, first owed to a terrible thunderstorm that closed courts and past to let clip for Lai, who has complained of bosom palpitations, to person medicine and a portable bosom monitor.

They are expected to resume Monday and past astir 10 days, pinch a verdict by nan 3 handpicked judges coming successful October astatine nan earliest.

Lai, a 77-year-old British national who is 1 of nan Chinese territory’s astir salient democrats, was arrested successful August 2020 nether a Beijing-imposed national information law complete his domiciled successful wide anti-government protests successful 2019 that sometimes turned violent. He has since spent almost 1,700 days successful solitary confinement, during which clip his boy says his wellness has declined significantly.

Jimmy Lai’s wife, Teresa Lai (second from left), and their boy Lai Shun Yan, right, leaving tribunal successful Hong Kong connected Friday.Isaac Lawrence / AFP via Getty Images

Lai has pleaded not blameworthy to 2 nationalist information charges of colluding to collude pinch overseas forces and a 3rd count nether colonial-era authorities of publishing seditious materials successful Apple Daily, his now-defunct pro-democracy tabloid. If convicted, he could look life successful prison.

The U.S. and different governments person criticized nan lawsuit arsenic politically motivated and called for Lai’s contiguous release. Trump said Thursday that he would “do everything I tin to prevention him” successful talks pinch Chinese officials, moreover if Chinese President Xi Jinping “would not beryllium precisely thrilled” to fto him go.

Trump appeared to beryllium softening a claim he made astir Lai past year, erstwhile he said connected a podcast that “100%, I’ll get him out” of China and that it would beryllium “so easy.”

“I didn’t opportunity 100% I’d prevention him. I said 100% I’m going to beryllium bringing it up. And I’ve already brought it up,” Trump said Thursday successful an question and reply pinch Fox News Radio, without giving details.

The authorities of Hong Kong, a erstwhile British colony that returned to Chinese rule successful 1997, said Wednesday that Lai was receiving a adjacent proceedings and accused “external forces” of trying to interfere successful Hong Kong courts. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials opportunity nan nationalist information rule and related section legislation were basal to reconstruct stableness successful nan world financial hub aft nan protests.

With a verdict still weeks away, nan proceeding connected Friday drew less group than rulings and sentencings successful caller cases specified arsenic nan sedition proceedings against two Stand News journalists aliases nan subversion proceedings against 47 pro-democracy politicians and activists.

But members of nan nationalist still lined up hours earlier nan proceeding amid dense constabulary beingness to unafraid seats successful nan main courtroom and drawback a glimpse of Lai.

Police extracurricular nan West Kowloon tribunal successful Hong Kong aft Lai arrived for his nationalist information proceedings connected Friday.Isaac Lawrence / AFP via Getty Images

First successful statement was section activistic Lui Yuk-lin, who arrived earlier 1 a.m. and said she was concerned astir Lai’s health.

“He utilized to person a large belly. But aft galore years successful jail, it’s now gone,” said Lui, who wore a T-shirt base nan American emblem and nan words “Land of nan Free.”

Members of nan nationalist assemblage waved astatine Lai, wearing a achromatic windbreaker and thick-rimmed achromatic glasses, arsenic he appeared successful nan courtroom Friday successful a glassed-in area surrounded by 4 guards. Lai smiled and waved backmost astatine supporters.

Western diplomats were besides successful attendance.

During his 52 days of testimony, Lai denied allegations that he lobbied nan U.S. to enforce sanctions connected Hong Kong and China. He said that while Apple Daily held anti-communist views, he did not usage nan media outlet to beforehand Hong Kong independence.

Lai besides referred to himself arsenic a “political prisoner” astatine slightest doubly during questioning, drafting fierce rebukes from nan bench.

Lai has already been convicted successful 3 abstracted cases related to unauthorized assembly and is serving 5 years and 9 months successful situation complete a 2022 fraud conviction, cases that person besides been criticized arsenic politically motivated.

Spectators waved again arsenic Lai exited nan courtroom connected Friday.

“I dream his family tin enactment beardown and bold,” Lui said. “We support him.”