Jimmy Lai’s Son Urges Trump to Seek Father’s Release During China Visit

Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old founder of Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February on collusion and sedition charges. The sentence formed part of a national security crackdown in Hong Kong. He has been held in solitary confinement at Stanley Prison since his arrest in December 2020. The meetings are scheduled for 14-15 May.

Lai suffers from diabetes and heart problems. His health has declined while in custody. Sebastien Lai said information about his father’s condition has become more scarce because his sister has been unable to visit. Lawyers for Jimmy Lai stated in March that he decided not to appeal his conviction.

Sebastien Lai said the trial process appeared to be a stacked deck and that his father had not received a fair trial. He added that his father continues to keep hope and is still fighting despite the circumstances.

A bipartisan group of more than 100 U.S. Sebastien Lai said releasing his father would be a straightforward way for Xi Jinping to show good faith to the American people, the UK and others. He noted that Britain raised concerns about the case during a visit to China in January.

The UK Foreign Office was approached for comment on the latest appeal. In February, the British foreign secretary described the 20-year sentence as tantamount to a life sentence and said the government would rapidly engage further on the matter. Sebastien Lai urged that any reset of UK relations with Beijing be made conditional on his father’s release.