Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been convicted of colluding with foreign forces under the city’s contentious national security law (NSL), in a closely watched trial with far-reaching implications for press freedom and dissent.
Lai, 78, a UK citizen who has been in custody since December 2020, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He now faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing expected early next year.
The court ruled that Lai used his now-defunct newspaper, Apple Daily, to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and mainland China. Prosecutors argued that the publication played a central role in advancing an international campaign against Beijing and the Hong Kong authorities.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the verdict, saying Lai’s actions had “damaged the country’s interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers.” Human rights groups, however, condemned the ruling as “a cruel judicial farce,” arguing that the NSL has been used to silence opposition voices. Beijing maintains the law is necessary to restore stability following unrest in the city.
Delivering the verdict on Monday, Judge Esther Toh said there was “no doubt” that Lai harboured deep hostility toward the People’s Republic of China, citing what she described as his repeated calls for US involvement against the Chinese government under the pretext of supporting Hong Kong.
During his testimony in November, Lai denied all charges, insisting he had never used foreign contacts to influence international policy on Hong Kong. He told the court that his meetings with senior US officials, including then vice president Mike Pence and former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, were limited to sharing information and seeking expressions of support, not concrete action.
A prominent critic of Beijing, Lai emerged as a leading figure during the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019. The demonstrations, which at times escalated into violent confrontations with police, prompted China to impose the NSL without consultation with Hong Kong’s legislature. The law grants authorities sweeping powers to prosecute acts deemed threats to national security.
In addition to the NSL conviction, the court also found Lai guilty of publishing seditious material in Apple Daily under a separate colonial-era statute. The newspaper, which was forced to shut down in 2021, had become a symbol of the pro-democracy movement.
Lai remained composed as the verdict was read and waved to family members before being led from the courtroom. His wife, Teresa, one of his sons, and Cardinal Joseph Zen—a longtime friend who baptised Lai in 1997—were present for the proceedings. (Source: BBC)
