This week a group of US lawmakers came together in a rare show of bipartisan support to call for the immediate release of Hong Kong businessman Jimmy Lye.

Lye who owned the once popular newspaper Apple Daily is one of hundreds of

democracy activists, journalists and political leaders imprisoned as part of

mainland China's ongoing crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.

Nick Schifron recently spoke to his son and lawyer. crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.

Nick Schifrin recently spoke to his son and lawyer,

who were in Washington, and are fighting

to improve his conditions in prison

and secure his freedom.

Jimmy Lai arrived in Hong Kong at the age of 12, stowed away on a fishing boat.

He worked his way up to become an outspoken pro-democracy advocate and media tycoon.

In the summer of 2020, he became the most prominent person arrested under a national security law that punished people not only for what they did, but also what they said.

Anyone who participated in actions that Beijing back courts

defined as calling for separation from mainland China, who received support

from a foreign country, or who quote, provoked the hatred of of Beijing could be arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

Recently, Jimmy Lye's lawyers and his son appealed to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

saying he has been held in solitary confinement for the last three and a half years.

And that poses a grave risk to his life and to his physical and mental health.

And I am now joined by Sebastian Lye and Kielen Gallagher head of Jimmy Lye's

international legal team. Thanks very much to both of you. Welcome to the news hour.

Thanks having us.

Sebastian Lye let me start with you.

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