"Lai's conviction of collusion and sedition offenses marks the highest-profile example of the clampdown on media freedoms in Hong Kong, once known as a haven for free press in Asia, since Beijing imposed the national security law in 2020. The prosecution of Lai, a prominent critic of the Chinese Communist Party, has drawn international criticism as "politically motivated" a claim Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have strongly rejected."
""Every day that he spends in prison would bring him that much closer to the end of his life," Pang said, listing in court Lai's ailments, including hypertension, diabetes, cataracts, and a blocked vein in one eye. In addition, Lai has spent more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement since his trial began in December 2023. His lawyer Pang argued that such treatment was making his prison life "harsher" than that of others."
Mitigation hearings for pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai concluded as the court prepares to sentence him following convictions under the national security law. In December, the 78-year-old was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to distribute seditious publications and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Lawyers urged leniency based on Lai’s poor health—hypertension, diabetes, cataracts and a blocked vein in one eye—and more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement since December 2023. Prosecutors countered that his health is stable, noting minimal weight loss over five years. Lai remains detained since his 2020 arrest.
Read at www.dw.com
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