Italian envoy says Lai has been in prison since 2020 for ‘peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression’
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Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the now-shuttered newspaper Apple Daily, is awaiting a verdict on charges of sedition and collusion with foreign powers under Hong Kong’s draconian national security law.
The ailing pro-democracy activist has pleaded not guilty, but faces the prospect of life in prison if convicted.
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Italy’s special envoy for religious freedom, Davide Dionisi, said the foreign ministry “will play its part” in calling for Lai’s release after meeting the media mogul’s son this week.
“It is necessary to work, also in international forums, using the tools of politics and diplomacy, to put an end to Jimmy Lai’s suffering," Mr Dionisi said. “He has been in prison since December 2020 for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression,” he added.
Mr Dionisi’s statement comes just days after US president Donald Trump said he would raise Lai’s case during his meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday. It was immediately unclear whether Mr Trump raised the issue with his Chinese counterpart.
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