Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon/newspaper owner Jimmy Lai convicted in high-profile national security trial

Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy activist and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily, has been convicted of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong National Security Law. The 78-year-old British citizen, jailed since December 2020, denied the charges and faces a possible life sentence, with sentencing expected next year.

Judges ruled that Lai used his newspaper and international contacts to urge foreign governments, including the U.S., to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. He was also found guilty of publishing seditious material under a separate colonial-era law. Lai has denied lobbying for foreign intervention, saying he merely shared information about events in Hong Kong during meetings with U.S. officials.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the verdict, calling Lai’s actions harmful to national interests. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, condemned the ruling as politically motivated and urged his release. The UK government criticized the prosecution, while Beijing defended the court’s decision and rejected foreign criticism.

Lai was a leading figure during Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy protests, which prompted Beijing to impose the sweeping national security law. Critics argue the legislation has curtailed dissent, pointing to its high conviction rate and frequent denial of bail. Lai, who has reportedly been held in solitary confinement, appeared calm in court and waved to family members after the verdict.

Once a successful businessman who founded clothing brand Giordano, Lai became an outspoken democracy advocate after China’s 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. His case is widely seen as a key test of judicial independence in Hong Kong, as dozens of pro-democracy figures have been jailed under the security law.

Source: BBC