Latest Update: Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Found
Guilty Under National Security Law, Global Leaders Condemn Verdict
Hong Kong’s High Court has convicted Jimmy Lai, the
78‑year‑old founder of the now‑defunct Apple Daily newspaper, on charges
of collusion with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious
material under the Beijing‑imposed National Security Law. The verdict has
drawn sharp condemnation from global leaders and rights groups, who warn it
marks a decisive blow to press freedom in the city.
Details of the Verdict
- Charges:
Lai was found guilty on two counts of conspiracy to collude with
foreign forces and one count of sedition.
- Possible
Sentence: He faces life imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled
for January 2026.
- Trial
Length: The case spanned 156 days, making it one of the longest
and most high‑profile national security trials since the law was enacted
in 2020.
- Court’s
Position: Judges ruled that Lai used Apple Daily and his
international contacts to encourage sanctions against Hong Kong and China,
portraying him as a “mastermind” behind efforts to undermine authorities.
Global Reaction
- United
States: President Donald Trump said he had personally raised Lai’s
case with Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling the trial a “sham” and
pledging to do his utmost to “save” Lai.
- United
Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the ruling as
“politically motivated persecution” and demanded Lai’s immediate release.
- Taiwan:
Officials described the verdict as evidence that Hong Kong’s freedoms and
judicial independence have been “systematically eroded”.
- Rights
Groups: Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International labeled
Lai a “prisoner of conscience,” warning that the conviction represents a death
knell for press freedom in Hong Kong.
Local Response
- Hong
Kong Government: Chief Executive John Lee welcomed the conviction,
claiming Lai had used Apple Daily to “fuel social conflicts” and
“incite antagonism” against authorities.
- Public
Interest: Hundreds queued outside the West Kowloon Law Courts to
witness the verdict, underscoring the trial’s symbolic weight in Hong
Kong’s political landscape.
Jimmy Lai’s conviction under the National Security Law is
widely seen as a landmark case that underscores Beijing’s tightening grip on
Hong Kong. While authorities insist the trial was fair, international leaders
and rights groups argue it represents a severe erosion of judicial
independence and press freedom. Lai’s sentencing in January will be closely
watched as a test of Hong Kong’s future under the sweeping security
legislation.
