Hong Kong court postpones Jimmy Lai's trial over health issues
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The Apple Daily founder's health condition was brought to the attention of West Kowloon Court on Friday, just as the three presiding High Court judges were about to hear closing speeches from prosecutors and defence lawyers in his case of conspiracies to publish seditious articles and collude with foreign forces.
Defence senior counsel Robert Pang Yiu-hung revealed that Lai, 77, had recently experienced heart palpitations while in prison, adding that in one incident he felt he would 'collapse'.
Pang stressed his client did not wish 'undue attention' on his health condition and that the defence was prepared to carry on with proceedings.
Prosecutor Anthony Chau Tin-hang said that while the prison service's medical team could provide Lai with the necessary medication shortly, it was unable to immediately arrange for a Holter monitor, a portable device used to detect irregular heartbeats.
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Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping said she was 'a little concerned' and that she preferred the hearing begin later to make sure it could proceed regularly. Mr Justice Alex Lee Wang-tang added that counsel should still be able to complete their oral arguments 'well before' eight days previously scheduled.
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