Sebastien Lei, the son of Hong Kong pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai holds a pin with a portrait of his father, ahead of the 17th Geneva Summit for human rights and democracy in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2025. REUTERS/Cecile Mantovani

As pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai spoke in his defense at a Hong Kong court Tuesday, his son Sebastien Lai was in Geneva calling for the United States and other world leaders to help secure this father's release.

Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai's health is deteriorating in a Hong Kong prison, prompting international pleas for his release. Lai was jailed under the controversial national security law, and his son has urged the U.

HONG KONG -- The marathon national security trial of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has sparked a heated exchange over whether he is a "political prisoner" and an unusual defense of the court by a presiding judge.

Former media boss says Apple Daily op-ed that called for leadership team was simply to help radical protesters set basic principles.