Family members of a prominent Hong Kong businessman currently imprisoned have issued a stark warning about his rapidly declining physical condition. They report he has suffered severe weight loss and alarming symptoms, including discolored, falling fingernails and deteriorating dental health.
The 78-year-old man, a diabetic, has reportedly been held in solitary confinement without air conditioning, enduring cell temperatures that can exceed 44 degrees Celsius. His children describe the conditions as punitive and deliberately demoralizing, citing instances where small privileges, like a preferred food sauce, were denied.
The businessman, who founded a now-defunct newspaper, was convicted on national security charges related to the 2019 protests and is serving a lengthy prison sentence. His family, who are campaigning internationally for his release, argue the sentence amounts to a life term given his age and health.
Appeals have been made to Western leaders to intervene, with his son stating that releasing his father on humanitarian grounds would be “the right thing to do.” The family emphasizes that he is a citizen of a Western nation and that securing his transfer would be a simple logistical matter.
The case continues to draw international attention, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding judicial processes and detainee welfare in the city.