On a winter morning in 2022, Raphael Wong and Figo Chan walked into Hong Kong's Stanley prison to meet Jimmy Lai, the media billionaire arrested two years prior on charges of national security violations.
These former activists had once shared meals and dreams of a democratic Hong Kong during the turbulent protests of 2019. But now, the scene was starkly different—a maximum-security prison where Lai, once known affectionately as 'Fatty Lai,' awaited his fate.
At 78, having lost considerable weight, Lai remained a significant figure in the pro-democracy movement, wielding influence through his newspaper, Apple Daily. His messaging promoted liberties that he felt were integral to Hong Kong's identity.
Despite holding UK citizenship, Lai refused to leave the city he loved, stating, I got everything I have because of this place. This is my redemption. His commitment to his beliefs saw him charged with serious offenses under the contentious national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.
In a decision welcomed by Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, the court found Lai guilty on multiple counts, with the most serious charge potentially resulting in a life sentence. Lai always maintained that his actions aimed to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy.
Lai's journey from a refugee fleeing China in his youth to a prominent voice against the repressive measures of the Chinese government encapsulates the struggle for freedom in Hong Kong. As the legal fight continues and calls for his release grow louder, his family worries for his health and freedom amid increasing authoritarian measures in the city.
Lai's case serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle for democratic values in an increasingly constrained environment.
