By AFP and Focus | 2025-08-19

Hong Kong prosecutors on August 18 began closing arguments in the trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, arguing he had shown "unwavering intent" to ask for foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China.

The 77-year-old founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, long targeted in what rights groups call political persecution by Chinese authorities, has pleaded not guilty. US President Donald Trump vowed to "do everything I can to save him," highlighting the international attention on Lai's case.

Authorities accuse Lai of using various platforms to lobby Western nations, portraying him as a key figure in a crackdown that critics say reflects Beijing's drive to crush dissent. The charges are brought under the city's national security law, which Beijing imposed in 2020 after massive, and at times violent, democracy demonstrations in 2019.

Prosecutors cited Lai's web of foreign connections to argue he had "unwavering intent to solicit sanctions, blockades or other hostile activities" against China and Hong Kong, adding that the intent was "long-term and persistent."

In his closing arguments, prosecutor Anthony Chau highlighted Lai's trips to the United States around the time of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, including one in July where he met with then-US Vice President Mike Pence.

"The court will remember that, in any event, (Lai) himself did advocate and request for sanctions, which he said was against officials and not the state," said Chau, referring to Lai's earlier testimony.

Lai has denied calling for sanctions against China and Hong Kong as a whole, and has said he never advocated separatism.

Health concerns

The trial was scheduled to begin its final stages on August 14 but was postponed twice: first due to bad weather and then to address Lai's medical needs. The defense had said on August 15 that Lai was experiencing heart "palpitations" and had an episode where he felt like he was "collapsing."

Concerns have been raised previously over Lai's health by his family and rights groups. The media tycoon has been kept behind bars since December 2020, reportedly in solitary confinement, and has lost weight during that time.

The Hong Kong government said in a statement on August 15 that the "medical care received by Lai Chee-ying in custody is adequate and comprehensive."

Dressed in a white shirt and pale windbreaker, Lai appeared in court August 18 without any medical equipment visible on his body. He smiled and waved to supporters and family members in the public gallery when he entered. He listened to the court proceedings via a set of headphones and closed his eyes for a few minutes during the morning session.

The long-running trial, which began in December 2023, is entering its final stages as Western nations and rights groups continue to call for Lai's release. In addition to the collusion charge, Lai also faces a sedition count linked to 161 articles, including op-eds carrying his byline.

The world is watching

Responding to human rights arguments raised by the defense, Chau said Lai had not raised any constitutionality challenges. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in mid-August that Hong Kong should "drop the baseless charges" against Lai.

Trump told a Fox News radio program August 14 that he brought up the tycoon's case with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I'm going to do everything I can to save him," the outlet quoted Trump as saying.

As Lai is a British citizen, his son Sebastien has called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration to do more, saying: "I don't want my father to die in jail."

'Political prisoner'

Lai has given spirited testimony, fielding questions about his political ideology, management style and overseas contacts. He described himself at least twice as a "political prisoner," which drew sharp rebukes from the three-judge panel.

Prosecutors showed the court a diagram titled "(Lai's) external political connections," arguing that he had exerted influence in the United States, Britain and Taiwan.

Apple Daily closed in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of its senior editors.

A former Apple Daily employee surnamed Chang queued outside court on August 15 to support Lai, describing him as a "caring" boss. "His health worsened after he was taken into custody, but I think his spirit is strong, and I hope he can persist," Chang told AFP.

The Hong Kong government said it "strongly disapproved and rejected the slanderous remarks made by external forces" regarding Lai's case.