Hong Kong delays trial of democrat Jimmy Lai over heart problems

15/8/2025 15:25

The closing submissions in a national security trial against Hong Kong pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai were delayed on Friday after his lawyer said he had suffered heart palpitations.



The closing submissions will recommence on Monday after the court adjourned to allow Lai, 77, to obtain medication and a heart monitor. Lai, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper that was forced to close after a police raid and asset freeze in June 2021, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.



His lawyer Robert Pang told the court that Lai experienced some episodes where he felt like "collapsing", adding he had accepted recommendations by a visiting medical specialist but the arrangements were still being made.



"He hasn't got the medication recommended by the specialist nor the monitor, so I am a little concerned," said one of the judges, Esther Toh.



Lai, a British citizen, has been held in solitary confinement for more than 1,700 days, with his son previously raising concerns over his deteriorating health.