Defence counsel Robert Pang argued for leniency on Monday citing Lai’s advanced age, health and prolonged isolation since he was detained in 2020. Hong Kong authorities have decried such remarks as interference and insisted that Lai received a fair trial. Justice Esther Toh countered that the isolation was Lai’s “own choice” for security reasons. Prosecutors also disputed the claims about weight loss, citing records purportedly showing Lai weighed 80kg upon his 2020 admission and 79.2kg this month. Pang questioned if the initial weight was a typo and should have been 90kg, given Lai weighed 86kg in June 2024.

Source: The Edge Markets January 12, 2026 10:32 UTC