Latest news with #JimmyLaiChee-ying
The Star
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Hong Kong court postpones Jimmy Lai's trial to Monday (Aug 18) over heart condition
Former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's national security trial has been adjourned until Monday after judges expressed concerns about his heart issue that arose shortly before closing submission proceedings. 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. 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'. The defence had earlier sought the court's permission for Lai's absence from the remainder of the trial, but the judges rejected the request. Pang stressed his client did not want '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 necessary medication shortly, it was unable to immediately arrange for a Holter monitor, a portable device used to detect irregular heartbeats. Chau added that a team of medical professionals were on standby outside the court in case of an emergency. Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping said she was 'a little concerned' and preferred that the hearing begin later to ensure it could proceed regularly. Mr Justice Alex Lee Wang-tang added that counsel should still be able to complete their oral arguments 'well before' the eight days previously scheduled. The government, meanwhile, issued a statement on Friday night to 'strongly condemn the out-of-context and fact-twisting reports' by some foreign media outlets, including CNN, which it said had attempted to mislead the public into believing Lai did not receive the medical care he needed. It said Lai's lawyers had also made it clear in court that correctional authorities had arranged daily medical check-ups for him and that he had no complaint regarding the medical services. The statement noted that Lai was repeatedly confirmed to be physically and mentally fit for trial, and a visiting medical specialist from the Hospital Authority had found nothing unusual during a detailed examination on August 7 after the inmate complained of a heart condition. It said Lai had initially refused the specialist's advice to put on a cardiac monitoring device before changing his mind on August 13 at another medical expert's recommendation. Wearing a long-sleeved white top and a pair of khaki pants, Lai waved to supporters and family members and had a brief exchange with his lawyers before slowly walking away from the courtroom. Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, has been remanded in custody for more than 1,700 days since he was first denied bail in December 2020. He faces life in prison if convicted. His son, Sebastien Lai Sung-yan, has consistently raised concerns over his father's health and warned that the tabloid founder may die in prison if Western governments do not step in. Robertsons, the law firm representing Lai, said in a statement last year that he had been receiving appropriate medical attention for his health conditions, including diabetes. 'He has access to daylight through the windows in the corridor outside his cell, albeit he cannot see the sky. He exercises for an hour every day in a secure area,' the statement added. Mainland Chinese and overseas governments made their stances clear once again ahead of the trial's resumption, with US President Donald Trump renewing previous promises to secure Lai's release. Trump said during last year's presidential election campaign that he would '100 per cent' get Lai out of the country, predicting that it would be 'easy'. But in what appeared to be a toned-down version of his earlier pledge, Trump said on Thursday that he would 'do everything' he could to secure Lai's release, while acknowledging Chinese President Xi Jinping would not be 'thrilled' by the move. 'I'm going to do everything I can to save him,' Trump said in an interview with Fox News Radio. 'We'll see what we can do ... we're going to do everything we can.' A Beijing spokesman in Washington slammed 'external forces' for smearing Hong Kong's rule of law and interfering in the nation's internal affairs. He also depicted Lai as 'a key orchestrator and participant in anti-China, destabilising activities in Hong Kong'. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
The Star
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Jimmy Lai getting proper treatment while in detention: Hong Kong govt
In this Feb 28, 2020, file photo, Jimmy Lai Chee-ying (center) leaves the Kowloon City police station after being granted bail following his arrest earlier in the day. - Photo: China Daily HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has strongly condemned what it termed 'out-of-context and fact-twisting reports' by some foreign media outlets, including the US-based Cable News Network (CNN), on the court hearing of the case of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying. In a statement issued on Friday (Aug 15) night, the government emphasised that Lai has been receiving appropriate treatment during his detention. Such reports attempt to mislead the public into believing that Lai did not receive the medical care he needed as a means to smear his case under the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), as well as his custodial arrangements and the medical care services provided to him, said the government said. Their aim to smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law is despicable and violates the professional conduct of journalists, it added. 'During today's open court hearing, senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that the correctional institutions arrange daily medical checkups for Lai and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical care he receives there,' said a spokesman for the HKSAR government. The court commended the Correctional Services Department (CSD) while the Department of Justice stated that the prosecution is equally concerned about Lai's health and well-being, which led the CSD to arrange for a professional medical team to be on standby on the spot, ready to respond to any emergency immediately if needed, said the spokesman. 'External forces and anti-China media chose to turn a blind eye to these facts, and continued to repeat lies and engage in despicable operations. We must sternly denounce their wrongdoings.' Before attending court, doctors certified that Lai was physically and mentally fit for court hearing, the government said. Following his claims of heart palpitations, a visiting specialist from the Hospital Authority conducted a detailed examination on him on Aug 7 and no abnormality was found. As a precaution, the specialist recommended prescribing medication to Lai to be taken as and when needed, and that he should wear a cardiac monitoring device, but Lai Chee-ying declined the advice of the specialist, according to the spokesman. On Aug 13, the CSD arranged for another detailed examination by a specialist from the Hospital Authority. The specialist again recommended that Lai wear a device to monitor his cardiac condition, which he finally accepted to do, and the Hospital Authority and the CSD immediately made arrangements for that within a short period of time, said the spokesman. The CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy and has also put in place an established mechanism, including regular independent visitors, namely Justices of the Peace, who inspect the prisons to ensure the rights of persons in custody are protected, the spokesman said. 'The medical care received by Lai Chee-ying in custody is adequate and comprehensive. The CSD supports persons in custody with medical services provided by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.' Professional medical staff provide the most suitable medical services to patients as soon as possible, and persons in custody are treated equally, the spokesman said, pointing out that the authorities concerned adopt the proper arrangements while handling matters related to Lai, which are no different from those applicable to other persons in custody. - China Daily/ANN
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
One Free Press Coalition's '10 Most Urgent' List For 2025 Highlights Journalists In Detention And Governments' Current Efforts At Criminalizing Journalism
NEW YORK – May 1, 2025 – Coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, leading news organizations and publishers around the world have come together as part of the One Free Press Coalition to announce the 2025 '10 Most Urgent' list, bringing to light and emphasizing ten cases of those who are currently detained for actively pursuing their duty as fellow journalists. The mission of the coalition is to use the collective voices of its members – which reach more than two billion people worldwide – to 'stand up for journalists under attack for pursuing the truth.' In 2025, many journalists continue to face increased risks and challenges while working to seek the truth and spread the information and knowledge they learned while working. The '10 Most Urgent' list, published this morning by all members and at the OneFreePress website includes the following journalists: 1. Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of newspaper Apple Daily, Hong Kong Since December 2020, Jimmy has been confined to solitary confinement in a Hong Kong maximum-security prison, having been charged under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law after raising human rights concerns with international human rights organizations. 2. Shin Daewe, documentary filmmaker and freelancer, Myanmar Shin was ordered a life sentence in 2024, now reduced to 15 years, on charges of illegal possession of an unregistered drone, after being arrested and interrogated by police in 2023 when she was receiving a drone that she had ordered online. 3. Frenchie Mae Cumpio, community journalist for Eastern Vista, Philippines Frenchie Mae has been held in pre-trial detention for five years after authorities raided her home in February 2020 and arrested her—along with colleagues Marielle Domequil and Alexander Abingun—on charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing, which she denies. 4. Pham Doan Trang, author, journalist, activist and founder of Luat Khoa legal magazine, Vietnam Pham was arrested in 2020 and accused of 'anti-state propaganda,' and ultimately sentenced to nine years in prison. For years prior to her arrest, she endured threats, police brutality, self-imposed exile and interrogations over her writings about democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, environmental degradation and women's empowerment. 5. Ihar Losik, freelance journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Belarus Service, Belarus Ihar was detained in June 2020 in advance of Belarus' rigged election in August, later tried on charges including 'organization of mass riots' and 'incitement to hatred. He was later sentenced to 15 years in prison. 6. Sevinj Vagifgizi, chief editor of anti-corruption investigative outlet Abzas Media, Azerbaijan After Azerbaijan implemented a major crackdown on independent press in 2023, Sevinj was arrested and continues to be detained due to multiple financial crime charges in relation to allegedly illegally receiving funding from Western donors. 7. Vladyslav Yesypenko, contributor to a unit of Radio Free Europe/RadioLiberty's Ukrainian Service, Russia Vladyslav was arrested in 2021 and sentenced in 2022 to ultimately five years in prison after initially being detained on suspicion of spying for the Ukrainian government, later changed to charges relating to possession and transport of explosives. 8. Li Yanhe, Taiwan-based radio host and publisher and founder of Gusa Press, China Li was arrested two years ago during a trip to Shanghai, held incommunicado, and sentenced in February 2025 to a $6,900 fine and three years in prison on charges of inciting separatism. 9. Makhabat Tajibek Kyzy, Azamat Ishenbekov and Aike Beishekeyeva, journalists from YouTube-based anti-corruption investigative outlet Temirov Live, Kyrgyzstan In February 2025, Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court confirmed sentences against Makhabat, Azamat and Aike on charges of calling for mass unrest. 10. Joakim Medin, special correspondent for the Swedish newspaper ETC, Turkey Joakim has been held in a high-security prison in Silivri, Turkey since March 30 after his arrest while traveling to report on civil unrest in the city, and being accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and 'belonging to an armed terrorist organization' because he was present as a reporter at an anti-Erdoğan rally organized by individuals tied to the Kurdistan Workers' Party in Stockholm in 2023. The list is compiled in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists, International Women's Media Foundation and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to Committee to Protect Journalists data, 361 journalists were behind bars worldwide at the end of 2024 (up from 320 in 2023). 'As journalists continue to stand under attack for pursuing the truth, it's important now more than ever to use our voices in support of our peers and in defense of the truth,' said Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer, Forbes. 'We encourage other outlets to join us and use their voices to stand up for those voices that have been threatened or silenced. Together, in solidarity, we can send a message to those who threaten free speech that we will fight back for our fellow journalists.' Last August, the One Free Press Coalition celebrated the release of two American journalists — Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva — from Russian detention after their cases were at the top of the May 2024 list of '10 Most Urgent' press freedom cases. News organizations throughout the world can join the coalition by emailing info@ Members of the public are also encouraged to join the conversation using #OneFreePress and following developments on X @OneFreePress. About the One Free Press Coalition The One Free Press Coalition is comprised of prominent international members including: L'Agefi; Agencia EFE; The Associated Press; The Atlantic; Barron's; Bloomberg News; The Boston Globe; Business Insider; Deutsche Welle; Dow Jones; The Economist; Forbes; El País; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Nikkei Asia; TIME; The Wall Street Journal; The Washington Post; and WIRED. To see the '10 Most Urgent' list and to view a complete list of participating news organizations and supporting partners, please visit or @OneFreePress on X. Media Contacts: One Free Press Coalition: pr@ CPJ: Mohamed Abdelfattah at press@ IWMF: Charlotte Fox at cfox@ RSF: Zoé Boissel at zboissel@
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
‘Jimmy Lai Way': US call to honour jailed tycoon in DC address of Hong Kong trade office
A bipartisan group of US House members has launched a fresh campaign to rename the address of Hong Kong's trade office in Washington in honour of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying , a day after the US State Department sanctioned six officials in the city for 'undermining Hong Kong's autonomy'. Advertisement Under a new bill introduced on Tuesday, the official address of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Washington's Dupont Circle neighbourhood would be changed from 1520 18th Street Northwest to 1 Jimmy Lai Way Northwest. 'By renaming the street in honour of Jimmy Lai, we show respect for this champion of democracy and human rights and all those detained in Hong Kong for exercising rights guaranteed them by international law and treaty,' said Republican Chris Smith of New Jersey, the bill's sponsor. 'We want to remind every HKETO employee of their part in dismantling the freedoms that once made Hong Kong the most vibrant and prosperous city in Asia,' added Smith, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. 01:49 Hegseth reaffirms US-Japan alliance against 'aggressive Communist Chinese' Hegseth reaffirms US-Japan alliance against 'aggressive Communist Chinese' The bill is co-sponsored by New York Democrat Tom Suozzi and the leaders of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Republican John Moolenaar of Michigan and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois.
South China Morning Post
23-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's security chief attacks Guardian newspaper over Jimmy Lai claim
Hong Kong's security minister has hit out at a British news outlet for 'smearing remarks' made in an article about the top court's rejection of an appeal by former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying over the hiring of a foreign lawyer. Advertisement Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Sunday wrote to The Guardian to defend the Court of Final Appeal's recent rejection of Lai's appeal over an earlier decision to stop his preferred British lawyer, King's Counsel Timothy Owen, from representing him. Headlined 'The obscure Jimmy Lai ruling that exposed the erosion of Hong Kong's rule of law', the article published on March 22 discussed the implications of the court's decision by quoting several legal experts, including former United Kingdom supreme court judge Jonathan Sumption and ex-chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association Paul Harris. They said the rule of law in Hong Kong was 'profoundly compromised' and the fact the decisions made by the national security committee could not be legally challenged 'effectively gives the committee the powers of a police state'. Lai won approval for Owen to represent him in 2022, and the government lost its appeals to block the move. Advertisement Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu then sought an interpretation of the national security law by the country's top legislative body, which later gave the city's leader and the national security committee the final say on the matter, with the decisions of the latter not open to judicial review.
