Sebastien Lai, the son of imprisoned Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai, has voiced his profound devastation following his father's additional 20-year prison sentence, describing it as effectively a death sentence that leaves him doubtful he will ever see his ailing parent again. In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Sebastien Lai conveyed his emotional turmoil after the verdict was delivered on Monday, stating that while expected, the outcome remains utterly devastating.
A Father's Unwavering Spirit Amidst Harsh Conditions
Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty of collusion and sedition in his national security trial last year, five years after his initial arrest under Hong Kong's controversial national security law. He has consistently denied all charges. Despite enduring what his son described as "torture, confinement and horrible conditions," including approximately 1,800 days in solitary confinement, Sebastien emphasized that his father remains "strong in spirit."
"Even being held in solitary confinement for 10 days is insane for most people. He's done 1,800 days of that. It's inspirational," Sebastien remarked, portraying his father as a personal hero. "Someone who has given up so much for freedom, I think, surely deserves some of it himself."
International Outcry and Legal Condemnation
The three judges presiding over the case announced that Lai's sentence falls within the most severe penalty tier for offences deemed of a "grave nature," accusing him of being the primary force behind persistent foreign collusion conspiracies. This decision has provoked significant international condemnation, with governments including Britain, the United States, Australia, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan expressing deep concerns about its implications.
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper stated that for a 78-year-old, this sentence is "tantamount to a life sentence," and she reiterated calls for Lai's release on humanitarian grounds. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the sentencing an "unjust and tragic conclusion," urging authorities to grant humanitarian parole.
A Son's Personal Anguish and Pride
Sebastien Lai revealed the personal toll of the verdict, questioning whether he will ever reunite with his father. "It's one of those moments where I think to myself, 'Am I ever going to see my father again?' He's already been there for five years. Given his health conditions, I don't even know if he's got a tenth of that. So it's obviously tremendously hard," he shared.
He took solace in his father's stoic reaction in court, noting that Jimmy Lai flashed a small smile, refusing to show sadness. "Also, he knew that he did the right thing. I think that's what is most important, is that he's a man who at every turn and every opportunity did what was right," Sebastien added, expressing immense pride in his father's unwavering principles.
Appeals to Britain and Global Community
Sebastien Lai urged the British government to make the resetting of relations with China conditional on his father's release, arguing that "time is running out for my father." He criticized the current state of Hong Kong's legal system as "broken" and expressed uncertainty about the possibility of an appeal.
"In order to have a closer relationship, my father's release should be a precondition for that. And if they're not even willing to do something so right, so humane, so simple, what can we possibly expect from that relationship with Hong Kong and China?" he questioned, highlighting the broader implications for press freedom and international diplomacy.
The Erosion of Press Freedom
Reflecting on the broader context, Sebastien Lai lamented the gradual erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong, comparing it to "drowning" rather than a sudden collapse. "I think people always think of the death of press freedom as a bang. Unfortunately, as you see from my father's case, it sounds more like drowning. It sounds like the air being sucked out of a room. And nobody really thinks about press freedom until there's no press freedom anymore… It's a farce," he stated.
He expressed confidence that history will remember Jimmy Lai as "a very good man ... who was willing to give everything that he had to stand for what was right." The European Commission's spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, echoed concerns about "politically motivated persecution" harming Hong Kong's reputation, calling for an end to prosecutions against journalists to restore confidence in press freedom.
As the international community watches closely, Sebastien Lai's heartfelt plea underscores the human cost of this high-profile case, blending personal grief with a steadfast commitment to the principles of liberty and justice that his father championed.
