The son of jailed Hong Kong media mogul and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai met with Britain’s foreign secretary to lobby for the U.K.’s help in securing his release from prison.
Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, an outspoken pro-democracy newspaper, faces a long-delayed trial next week over charges he violated the national security laws enforced in Hong Kong after anti-government protests.
The 76-year-old British citizen has been in detention since 2020 over other offenses. He faces life in prison if convicted of the national security charges.
His son Sebastien Lai, who leads an international campaign to call for his father’s release, said he hoped the meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron would raise the case’s profile and add to international pressure on Hong Kong’s government.
“The U.K. opposes the National Security Law and will continue to stand by Jimmy Lai and the people of Hong Kong,” the Foreign Office said after the meeting.
Jimmy Lai is accused of conspiring with others to call for international sanctions or engage in hostile activities against Hong Kong or China.
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