Hong Kong democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty on Monday of colluding with foreign forces, marking one of the most significant convictions under the city controversial national security law. The verdict leaves the 78 year old publisher facing a possible life sentence, with sentencing expected early next year.
Lai has been held in custody since December 2020 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court ruled that he used his now closed newspaper Apple Daily to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China, actions prosecutors said violated the sweeping security legislation imposed by Beijing.
Delivering the judgment, Judge Esther Toh said there was no doubt that Lai held deep hostility toward the People Republic of China. She cited what she described as his repeated calls for the United States to pressure Beijing, framed as support for Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the verdict, saying Lai actions harmed national interests and the well being of Hong Kong residents. In contrast, rights groups condemned the ruling. Human Rights Watch Asia director Elaine Pearson called the case a judicial farce and urged governments to push for Lai immediate release.
The national security law was introduced in 2020 after months of mass protests in the city. Beijing and Hong Kong officials say the law restored order and stability, while critics argue it has been used to silence opposition and dismantle press freedom, according to reporting by Reuters and the BBC.
During testimony in November, Lai denied using overseas contacts to influence foreign policy. He told the court he never asked then United States Vice President Mike Pence for specific action, saying he only described events in Hong Kong when questioned.
Asked about a meeting with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Lai said he sought public statements of support rather than concrete measures. He maintained that neither he nor Apple Daily ever promoted Hong Kong independence, which he described as unrealistic.
Monday ruling also found Lai guilty of publishing seditious material under a separate colonial era law, further compounding his legal exposure.
Western governments including the United States and the United Kingdom have repeatedly called for Lai release. President Donald Trump has said he would do everything to save Lai, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the case as a priority for his government.
Lai trial has been closely watched as a test of judicial independence in Hong Kong. Critics point to the near total conviction rate in national security cases and frequent denial of bail. Lai himself has been held in prolonged isolation, raising concerns about his health.
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His lawyer Robert Pang said Lai remained calm after the verdict and that the legal team needed time to study the lengthy judgment before deciding whether to appeal.
Born in mainland China, Lai fled to Hong Kong as a child and later founded the clothing brand Giordano before turning to publishing. His political activism intensified after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, leading to the creation of Apple Daily and other pro democracy outlets.
Dozens of supporters gathered outside the court ahead of the ruling. Some described Lai as a symbol of the city core values, including free speech and rule of law.
As Hong Kong authorities continue to defend the security law, Lai conviction adds to a growing list of opposition figures sentenced under the legislation, reinforcing its far reaching impact on the city political and media landscape.