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Jimmy Lai's Family Sounds Fresh Alarm Over Deteriorating Health in Hong Kong Prison

02:55 PM, 12/04/2025
Jimmy Lai's Family Sounds Fresh Alarm Over Deteriorating Health in Hong Kong Prison

Jimmy Lai's family says the 78-year-old pro-democracy publisher's health has markedly declined while imprisoned in Hong Kong, alleging solitary confinement without air conditioning and serious physical deterioration. Hong Kong authorities deny the claims, maintaining Lai receives adequate medical care. The family is appealing to international leaders to press for his release or better treatment while he faces lengthy prison terms over charges tied to the 2019 protests.

Relatives of jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai say his health has worsened significantly while he remains in custody. Lai, who will turn 78 next week, has been detained since late 2020 as authorities in the territory move to tighten control over public life.

The family, speaking after recent visits and meetings with international officials, say the diabetic media tycoon has been held in solitary confinement without air conditioning in a facility where summer temperatures can reach about 44°C (111°F). They describe alarming physical decline, including pronounced weight loss, discolored nails and deteriorating teeth.

Family's account

"He has lost a very significant amount of weight, visibly, and he is a lot weaker than he was before," said his daughter, Claire Lai, who traveled overseas after visiting her father several months ago. She also reported nails that turn "almost purple, gray and greenish before they fall off" and worsening dental problems. Claire has been lobbying international support on her father's behalf.

"After learning he enjoyed curry sauce, instead of having extra curry sauce, he has no curry sauce at all," Claire said, describing what she called petty actions by guards. She also said officers refused to allow her father, a devout Catholic, to receive communion.

Official response

Hong Kong authorities have rejected the family's claims, accusing some media reports of "fact-twisting" and insisting that medical care provided to detainees, including Lai, is "adequate and comprehensive." The government said suggestions otherwise were misleading.

Legal status and international appeals

Jimmy Lai is the founder of the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily. He faces charges related to alleged foreign collusion linked to the 2019 mass protests and could receive at least 15 years in prison if convicted. His family has described such a sentence as effectively a death sentence given his age and medical condition.

His son Sebastien Lai has urged world leaders to press Beijing and secure better treatment or release, saying, "It will take two hours to put my father on a plane and send him away. It’ll be the humane thing to do; it’ll be the right thing to do." The family is appealing to international figures to raise Lai's case in diplomatic discussions.

This account reflects statements from Lai's family and the official response from Hong Kong authorities. Independent verification of all details remains limited in the public domain.

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