Concerns Over Health of Jailed Tycoon Jimmy Lai as Daughter Speaks Out

Wed Dec 31 2025 17:27:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Jimmy Lai faces deteriorating health in a Hong Kong prison, his daughter Claire raises alarms about his well-being, highlighting severe issues such as rotting teeth and falling fingernails.

The 78-year-old pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai, imprisoned in Hong Kong, has reportedly suffered serious health issues including severe weight loss and dental problems. His daughter Claire, now in exile, fears for his life and urges international intervention. Meanwhile, Chinese officials deny claims of mistreatment and assert Lai's health is being managed appropriately. Lai's case draws attention to the ongoing debates surrounding the national security law in Hong Kong and the state's treatment of dissent.

The daughter of Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy tycoon jailed in Hong Kong, has expressed concerns about her father's deteriorating health in prison, saying that his fingernails sometimes fall off and his teeth are rotting.

Lai, 78, has been detained since December 2020 and faces life in prison. Earlier this month, he was convicted of colluding with foreign forces under the city's controversial national security law (NSL).

Chinese authorities have denied that Lai has been mistreated in prison, asserting he is in good health. The BBC has seen a letter written by Lai's family urging the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to call for Lai's release during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.

His daughter, Claire Lai, who is currently in exile in London, voiced fears that she may never see her father again. She stated, Of course I worry that my father is going to be a martyr, and I don't want him to be a martyr. But I would not be here today, I would not be speaking out if I didn't think this was his best chance of reuniting with our family. Claire described her father as an extremely robust and strong man when he went to prison, but expressed concern about his significant weight loss and health complications over the past year.

He is diabetic, he has heart issues which he never had in the past. He has fingernails that turn purplish grey and sometimes fall off. He has teeth that are rotting. He has back and waist pains. Some days it's painful for him to stand. Sometimes he can't stand. And some days he can't even get out of bed, she added.

Lai's family has repeatedly raised alarms about his declining health. Lai's son, Sebastien, previously remarked that his father's body is breaking down.

Despite concerns from family members, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry asserted that Lai's lawful rights and interests have been fully protected and he is in good health within a safe and humane custody environment.

Lai, a UK citizen and the most prominent figure charged under the NSL, has faced serious accusations, including lobbying foreign nations for sanctions against Hong Kong and China. His conviction has been condemned by the UK as politically motivated persecution.

The sentiment among the international community reflects ongoing tensions regarding freedoms and human rights under the national security law implemented in response to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Starmer's upcoming trip to China will be the first by a UK Prime Minister since 2018, signifying an opportune moment for dialogue surrounding these pressing human rights concerns.