Jimmy Lai convicted: Hong Kong court finds pro-democracy media tycoon guilty in national security case

Jimmy Lai, a former Hong Kong media tycoon and vocal critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security case on Monday. A panel of three government-approved judges found the 78-year-old guilty of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and to publish seditious material.

Lai pleaded not guilty to all charges. Sentencing is expected to take place on a later date. Under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law, he could face up to life imprisonment.

Collusion charges in Hong Kong

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper has been detained since 2020, with his prosecution widely viewed by critics as a sign of shrinking political freedoms following the national security law imposed by Beijing after the large-scale and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests of 2019.

Prosecutors alleged that Lai orchestrated two separate conspiracies aimed at urging foreign governments to impose “sanctions or blockade” measures or carry out “hostile activities” against Hong Kong or China. He was also accused of overseeing the publication of content that authorities said had “excited disaffection” towards the government.

“There is no doubt that (Lai) had harboured his resentment and hatred of the PRC for many of his adult years, and this is apparent in his articles,” Judge Esther Toh told the court, using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China.

“It is also clear to us that the first defendant has from an early stage, long before the National Security Law, been applying his mind as to what leverage the US could use against the PRC,” she added, referring to Lai.

Dressed in a light green cardigan and a grey jacket, Lai appeared impassive as the verdicts were delivered, listening with his arms folded and offering no comment in court.

Security was tight around the courthouse, with dozens of police officers deployed in the area and an armoured vehicle stationed nearby.

Diplomatic representatives, including officials from the United States, the European Union and France, were seen lining up to enter the courtroom.

“We’re here to observe… to signal close interest in these cases,” said Matthias Kaufmann, deputy head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao, ahead of the hearing.

Members of Lai’s family, including his wife Teresa and son Lai Shun-yan, were present, along with prominent figures from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and former lawmaker Emily Lau.