National security judges on Friday decided to adjourn former media tycoon Jimmy Lai's trial until Monday, citing health reasons.

The hearing of final submissions, originally scheduled to start on Thursday, was postponed due to bad weather.

On Friday, the court heard Lai has yet to be given a cardiac monitor and medication as recommended during medical check-up while in detention.

One of the three judges, Esther Toh, said Lai was said to have declined the recommendation by the doctor who assessed his health condition in prison.

Lai’s lawyers said their client is willing to wear the monitor, and that his earlier refusal might have been down to miscommunication.

They said their client had experienced heart palpitations and "episodes where he felt that he was collapsing", which were more likely to occur when Lai was fatigued.

Lai did not want "undue attention" on his health during court proceedings, the defence said.

Lai’s lawyers also expressed satisfaction with the medical arrangements by the Correctional Services Department (CSD), including routine blood pressure and pulse monitoring, and raised no complaints.

The prosecution told the court a professional medical team is on standby in case any treatment is required, adding that the heart device and medicine would be arranged for Lai.

The judges believed it would be "prudent" not to begin closing submissions on Friday, saying they would prefer Lai to have the device when he goes to court. They also praised CSD’s provision of medical care to the defendant.

The trial began in December 2023, after Lai pleaded not guilty to three conspiracy charges relating to collusion with foreign forces and sedition.