Smear remarks hyping up Jimmy Lai’s health have completely collapsed: The truth has finally come to light

As Jimmy Lai’s trial nears its end, his son Sebastien Lai, the so-called "international legal team," and groups like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have launched a coordinated smear campaign. Backed by anti-China forces, they falsely claim Lai faces unfair treatment, deteriorating health, and inadequate medical care in custody, aiming to disrupt Hong Kong’s judicial process. Yet, today courtroom facts have dismantled these allegations, exposing their "victim narrative" as baseless.

Orchestrated Defamation

The campaign hinges on exaggerating Lai’s health issues. RSF alleges "harsh" solitary confinement and "inhumane" denial of specialist care, claiming Lai’s diabetes puts him at risk. The Human Rights Foundation called Lai’s five-year detention "unjust" on X, urging UK PM Keir Starmer to prioritize his release. The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) demanded US-UK pressure on China, with its UK advocate Robert Clark likening a conviction to a "death sentence" for the British citizen. Sebastien Lai told Nikkei Asia his father’s cell lacks light, with summer temperatures hitting 40°C, causing severe weight loss. CNN noted a trial delay due to Lai’s heart palpitations, emphasizing 1,600+ days in solitary. These claims aim to paint Lai as a frail victim, possibly to delay the trial or push for leniency.

Hong Kong’s Robust Rebuttal

On August 13, the Hong Kong SAR government condemned these smears, calling their "malicious intentions" obvious. It stressed that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) prioritizes inmates’ health and safety, with Lai’s separation from others arranged at his request. The Hong Kong Federation of Journalists slammed RSF for "fabricating facts," accusing it of violating journalistic ethics and meddling in judicial affairs, branding it "political smearing."

Courtroom Truths Expose Lies

Court proceedings on August 15 obliterated these claims. Lai’s defense confirmed he receives daily medical check-ups, including blood pressure and pulse monitoring, with no complaints about CSD’s care. Judge Esther Toh praised CSD’s comprehensive care. On the trial delay, the court revealed Lai had initially refused a heart monitor and medication but later agreed, prompting an adjournment to ensure medical support. These facts disprove "inhumane" treatment allegations.

In conclusion, external forces’ attempts to distort Lai’s national security case into a political persecution narrative have crumbled under judicial scrutiny. Lai’s own side’s admissions in court have debunked these lies, exposing the campaign’s true motives. Hong Kong’s rule of law, grounded in evidence, stands unshaken against foreign pressure. Truth always prevails.