Jimmy Lai trial enters final stretch, Trump says he hopes to ‘save’ Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon

HONG KONG — The marathon national security trial of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai is nearing conclusion in Hong Kong as President Donald Trump vowed to “do everything I can to save” the media tycoon from what critics say is political persecution by Chinese authorities.

Closing arguments in the landmark trial, which began in December 2023, were set to begin this week after a five-month break following the end of Lai’s testimony in March. But they were postponed twice on Thursday and Friday, first due to a severe thunderstorm that closed courts and then to allow time for Lai, who has complained of heart palpitations, to receive medication and a portable heart monitor.

They are expected to resume Monday and last about 10 days, with a verdict by the three handpicked judges coming in October at the earliest.

Lai, a 77-year-old British citizen who is one of the Chinese territory’s most prominent democrats, was arrested in August 2020 under a Beijing-imposed national security law over his role in mass anti-government protests in 2019 that sometimes turned violent. He has since spent almost 1,700 days in solitary confinement, during which time his son says his health has declined significantly.

Lai has pleaded not guilty to two national security charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and a third count under colonial-era legislation of publishing seditious materials in Apple Daily, his now-defunct pro-democracy tabloid. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

The U.S. and other governments have criticized the case as politically motivated and called for Lai’s immediate release. Trump said Thursday that he would “do everything I can to save him” in talks with Chinese officials, even if Chinese President Xi Jinping “would not be exactly thrilled” to let him go.

Trump appeared to be softening a claim he made about Lai last year, when he said on a podcast that “100%, I’ll get him out” of China and that it would be “so easy.”

“I didn’t say 100% I’d save him. I said 100% I’m going to be bringing it up. And I’ve already brought it up,” Trump said Thursday in an interview with Fox News Radio, without giving details.

The government of Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997, said Wednesday that Lai was receiving a fair trial and accused “external forces” of trying to interfere in Hong Kong courts. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials say the national security law and related local legislation were necessary to restore stability in the international financial hub after the protests.

With a verdict still weeks away, the hearing on Friday drew fewer people than rulings and sentencings in recent cases such as the sedition trial against two Stand News journalists or the subversion trial against 47 pro-democracy politicians and activists.

But members of the public still lined up hours before the hearing amid heavy police presence to secure seats in the main courtroom and catch a glimpse of Lai.

First in line was local activist Lui Yuk-lin, who arrived before 1 a.m. and said she was concerned about Lai’s health.

“He used to have a big belly. But after many years in jail, it’s now gone,” said Lui, who wore a T-shirt bearing the American flag and the words “Land of the Free.”

Members of the public gallery waved at Lai, wearing a white windbreaker and thick-rimmed black glasses, as he appeared in the courtroom Friday in a glassed-in area surrounded by four guards. Lai smiled and waved back at supporters.

Western diplomats were also in attendance.

During his 52 days of testimony, Lai denied allegations that he lobbied the U.S. to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. He said that while Apple Daily held anti-communist views, he did not use the media outlet to promote Hong Kong independence.

Lai also referred to himself as a “political prisoner” at least twice during questioning, drawing fierce rebukes from the bench.

Lai has already been convicted in three separate cases related to unauthorized assembly and is serving five years and nine months in prison over a 2022 fraud conviction, cases that have also been criticized as politically motivated.

Spectators waved again as Lai exited the courtroom on Friday.

“I hope his family can stay strong and bold,” Lui said. “We support him.”