Jimmy Lai Convicted Under Hong Kong National Security Law

HONG KONG (Journos News) –  media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of national security and sedition charges in a closely watched case that has drawn global scrutiny. The verdict marks a defining moment for press freedom and political dissent in the city five years after Beijing imposed its sweeping security law.

Jimmy Lai guilty under national security law

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty on Monday of multiple offences under the Beijing-imposed national security law, concluding one of the city’s most consequential political trials since the 2020 legislation took effect.

The High Court ruled that Lai had conspired to collude with foreign forces on two counts under the national security law and was also guilty of sedition under a colonial-era statute. The decision was delivered by judges Alex Lee, Esther Toh and Susana D’Almada Remedios at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building.

Lai, who turned 78 while in custody last week, has been detained for more than 1,800 days since his arrest in December 2020. He now faces a possible life sentence, with the court scheduling a four-day mitigation hearing beginning on January 12.

The statement was published on X by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Courtroom scenes and family presence

As the verdict was read, Lai stood in the dock wearing thick-rimmed glasses, a green jumper and a beige jacket. He listened quietly, arms crossed, before turning toward the public gallery.

He smiled and waved briefly to supporters seated inside the courtroom, including his wife Teresa, their son Lai Shun-yan and veteran Catholic leader Cardinal Joseph Zen. Court officers then led him away.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of members of the public queued from early morning in cold weather in hopes of securing seats for the hearing. A box of apples, delivered by an unknown sender before dawn, was left outside the building, a gesture widely interpreted as symbolic given Lai’s association with Apple Daily.

Findings against the Apple Daily founder

In an 850-page written judgment, the judges said Lai’s actions demonstrated an intention “to seek the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party” at the expense of the interests of Hong Kong and mainland China.

They concluded that Lai had used his now-defunct tabloid newspaper, Apple Daily, as a platform to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions, blockades or other hostile measures against Hong Kong and China.

Judge Esther Toh told the court that Lai’s testimony was “evasive” and “unreliable,” drawing an analogy between his actions and an American urging a foreign power to overthrow the United States government.

The court cited live online discussions and interviews with overseas media, including Fox News, saying these showed Lai harboured “resentment and hatred” toward China from an early stage.

Sanctions campaign continued after 2020

According to the judgment, Lai’s efforts to seek foreign pressure did not end after the national security law was enacted in June 2020. Instead, the court said, his approach shifted in style rather than substance.

Before the law came into force, the judges wrote, calls for sanctions were “open and direct.” Afterward, they continued in ways that were “implicit and subtle,” but with the same underlying purpose.

“The only adaptation he made after the national security law was in form rather than in substance,” the judgment said, adding that Lai continued to act in furtherance of the same campaign.

Sedition findings tied to opinion writing

The court also ruled that opinion articles published in Apple Daily were “objectively seditious” and intended to cause readers to view the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities with “hatred and contempt.”

Prosecutors had pointed to 161 opinion pieces allegedly written or overseen by Lai. The judges said that given his hands-on role as founder and operator of the newspaper, he bore responsibility for content aligned with his political views.

“Given his position as the hands-on boss of Apple Daily and the degree of his involvement in its operation, we are satisfied that he agreed with those articles which were consistent with his own political stance,” the judgment said.

Voices from former colleagues

Several former Apple Daily journalists attended the hearing, describing mixed emotions as the case reached its conclusion.

Former reporter Tammy Cheung said the sudden announcement of the verdict hearing had come as a shock but also brought a sense of closure.

“I also felt relieved, because this case is coming to an end,” she said in Cantonese. “After the boss, other colleagues could see an end too.”

Another former employee, who declined to be named because she still works in the media, said Lai had provided encouragement to many journalists despite mounting pressure.

“I hope he stays well and has a chance to reunite with his family,” she said.

Journalist Ronson Chan, also a former Apple Daily reporter, said the verdict marked the end of an era for Hong Kong’s press.

“For the past 30 years, we were able to hold a more critical view of the country and more openly seek democracy in China,” he said. “I don’t think these things will appear again.”

Co-defendants and wider case

Lai was charged alongside several senior Apple Daily executives, including former editor-in-chief Ryan Law and former associate publisher Chan Pui-man. Some co-defendants testified against him during the trial.

The proceedings stretched over more than 150 working days. The trial began in December 2023, with closing arguments concluding in August 2025 after repeated delays, including health-related interruptions.

In August, the court postponed hearings after Lai experienced heart palpitations. His lawyers cited a medical issue involving his heart, though authorities later said he had received appropriate care.

National security law background

Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020, inserting it directly into the city’s mini-constitution following months of large-scale pro-democracy protests.

The legislation criminalises subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with definitions critics say are broad and far-reaching. Since its enactment, dozens of activists, politicians and media figures have been arrested or prosecuted.

Apple Daily, long known for its outspoken criticism of Beijing and the Hong Kong government, was forced to close in June 2021 after authorities froze its assets.

Defence arguments rejected

During closing submissions, prosecutors argued that Lai’s international connections demonstrated an “unwavering intent” to seek foreign sanctions, even after the law took effect.

Lai’s defence lawyer, Robert Pang, countered that remarks made by his client on livestreamed talk shows amounted to political analysis rather than direct requests for sanctions.

Pang also argued that publishers should enjoy wider latitude under constitutional protections for press freedom. The court rejected that reasoning in its ruling.

International attention and next steps

Lai’s children have repeatedly appealed to foreign governments to support their father’s release, citing concerns over his age and health.

Hong Kong authorities have denied allegations of mistreatment, saying Lai has been provided with appropriate medical attention while in custody.

Monday’s verdict brings an end to years-long legal proceedings in a case that has become emblematic of Hong Kong’s political transformation. Sentencing will follow after the mitigation hearings early next year, determining how long the media tycoon will remain behind bars.