US President Donald Trump has promised to help imprisoned Catholic activist Jimmy Lai, who has been languishing in Hong Kong’s jail since 2020. Lai, a longtime human rights advocate and convert to Catholicism, is nearing the end of his national security trial.
The US president made the remarks during a radio interview with Fox News this week, stating that he has already brought up Lai’s case in government circles. Trump said he would “see what we can do” to help Lai, who has been imprisoned by Chinese Communist Party authorities despite experiencing heart troubles while behind bars.
Lai’s supporters and advocates have expressed little hope for a positive outcome in the trial, citing concerns about the fairness of the process. Father Robert Sirico, a Catholic priest, described the trial as “fully subject to Chinese control” and warned that Lai’s fate is in the hands of three handpicked judges who are under the influence of Hong Kong’s chief executive.
The US government has been under pressure to help Lai, with a congressional commission urging sanctions against Hong Kong prosecutors and judges if they fail to release him. International human rights groups have also called for his release, and Catholic leaders around the world have joined in calling for his freedom.
Despite the uncertainty of how much Trump’s administration can do to help Lai, the US president has taken steps to draw attention to his case. He praised Lai’s son Sebastien for his efforts to free his father and appeared to walk back a previous promise to “save” him, saying he would only “bring it up.”
Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265999/trump-vows-to-do-everything-to-save-jimmy-lai-amid-trial-delays