Jimmy Lai’s son said his father would ‘most likely die in prison’ except the British government intervened | World News

Busyness is still in Hong Kong, but the tone is not the same.

A city that was once famous for his protest, now does not dare.

Only a few years ago it would be difficult to imagine the case of court with his profile with Jimmy Lai without at least a handful of supporters and placards.

But when the closing argument begins in the trial of one of the most famous city pro-democracy figures, there is no slight difference of opinion.

Now Lai’s son, Sebastien, who recommends in his name, said that his father’s treatment would have terrible implications Hong Kong “As an AA Financial Center”, and has warned the British government (where Lai is a citizen), that if it fails to act “my father is likely to die in prison”.

Jimmy Lai has been described as the most famous conscience prisoner everywhere in the world.

He is an icon figure in the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and is one of the most famous people who was charged under the controversial Hong Kong National Security Act.

Millions of homemade, Beijing’s lifetime criticism, and the owner of the Apple Daily Pro-Democracy Newspaper is accused of being colluding with foreign troops and issuing incitement material.

After a five-month postponement, the closing argument in his trial will take place seriously this week.

There is a feeling here that the authorities have found this trial a little complicated to be completed.

How to deal with old men who some believers have become a symbol of a goal? How to balance a significant international criticism with the city’s desire to ensure that the world is fair, fair and re -open to business?

His family and lawyer believed this some explained many long delays.

Putra Lai, Sebastien, has spent years from advocating his father from London. He hasn’t seen him in almost five years.

“The worst scenario is that he died in prison,” he said.

This is a valid concern. LAI has spent more than 1,600 days in isolation cells. He is 77 years old and diabetics.

Indeed, on Friday, the first day of the court activities that were continued taken by the discussion about his health and the court were then postponed so that he could be equipped with a heartbeat monitor.

“In Hong Kong, this is a concrete cell that rises to 30, 40C and he bakes there basically,” Sebastien said.

“So we are very worried about him, and all of this in the last four years is intended to destroy it, to destroy his enthusiasm.”

‘If he dies, it’s a coma in Hong Kong’

Sebastien insisted that the death of his father would not only be a personal tragedy, but also a big problem for the Hong Kong government and the Beijing government.

“You cannot tell the world that you have rule of law, free press and all values that play an important role for the financial center and still have my father in prison,” he said.

“And if he dies, that’s all, it’s a coma in Hong Kong as a financial center.”

This criticism that the authorities in Hong Kong are very aware.

Indeed, the government there insisted in a statement that “City Penitentiary facilities are human and safe” and say that the opposite claim is only “external forces and anti-Chinese media” that works to “glorify criminal behavior and put pressure on the court”.

But Lai is also a British citizen and there is a feeling that his family believes that the British government has successfully failed in their duties to support him. The petition is a journey described by sebastien as “heartbreaking”.

“It’s time to put the action behind words,” he said. “Without that, my father will most likely die in prison.”

This criticism that the authorities in Hong Kong are very aware, the local government claims in a statement that “external power and anti-Chinese media” actively work to “distort the truth, openly discredit the justice system, in an effort to glorify criminal behavior”.

Read more:
Who is Jimmy Lai’s ‘Prisoner of Conscience’?
Why the LAI case is the main sticky point for British relations with China

Some believe that Lai’s trial is one of the most extraordinary matters after the crush over the 2019 Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Protest, the actions said by the authorized authorities of Beijing are needed to restore order and stability.

When you spend time in this city, it’s hard not to conclude that efforts are very successful. Signs of differences of opinion now are very difficult to trace.

Small slogans covered in hidden places, several independent bookstores that still keep political titles or young people who choose not to spend money in Hong Kong if possible, the same as as much.

Meanwhile, mainland Mandarin is more often heard on the streets and slogans and banners that spoil the causes that are liked by Beijing are not difficult to find.

In Hong Kong today, the attitude is at stake in a calm act of compassion, such as a visit that is committed to friends behind bars.

‘Never guess beijing’

This is in one of this trip we accompanied Emily Lau, a former member of the Hong Kong parliament and a pro-democracy supporter.

“It is very important to show the people inside that they have not been forgotten,” he explained, when he climbed into one of the red taxi Icon Hong Kong.

“This is the way I show my support.”

He visited Dr. Helena Wong, a fellow Democratic Party member, and one of the so -called ’47’ – 47 activists tried together for conspiracy to conduct subversion.

The key violation is to stand in an unofficial main election.

Lau is optimistic when we chatted, but also honest about the state of democracy in the city.

“This is very difficult. Now it seems you can’t show you, you can’t line up, you can’t apply for a petition,” he said. “And if you post something online or some posts, you should be very careful about what you say.

“I will never say we’re finished, no, but now, of course, very difficult.”

We waited outside for him when he visited Dr. Wong. He reported that he was excited and happy to see his friend.

Their political parties are in the process of dissolution, such as every other pro-democracy group. The pressure becomes too much, and he is worried that this is not the end.

“Never guess the second Beijing,” he said. “Don’t try.”

Indeed, the only political group that can continue is those who at least support the Beijing and their law.

‘Not as bad as people think’

Ronnie Tong runs a think tank called Path of Democracy, who also sponsoring people to run for positions.

He collects it as a moderate force, but in reality, it has supported the national security law and all the steps used to crack down on protesters.

“I don’t think it’s as bad as people think,” he said. “The only thing they can’t say is to advocate for succession or separatism.”

I asked if using the word ‘democracy’ in the group title was a little ironic, considering that his voice might only be permitted as far as not to criticize Beijing.

“No, I don’t think it’s,” he answered. “People must understand that politics is also about personal relations.”

It is likely not to wash with many people here, but now most feel they have no choice but to maintain a low profile or continue.

LAI’s trial is just a small part of the story of Hong Kong, but this is a reflection of quick changes here and a snapshot from the city’s adjustment.