Jimmy Lai Guilty Hong Kong Tycoon Faces Life for National Security Crimes
Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old former media tycoon and prominent critic of Beijing, has been found guilty of two national security charges and one sedition charge in a landmark Hong Kong trial. The verdict, delivered by a panel of three government-selected judges, marks a significant moment in the city's shifting legal landscape under the sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. Lai, who founded the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, had pleaded not guilty to all charges but now faces a possible life sentence.
The judges characterized Lai as the "mastermind" of a conspiracy to undermine the Chinese Communist Party, citing his "resentment and hatred" of the central government as a key motivator. The court's 855-page verdict pointed to Lai's lobbying of US politicians, including meetings with then-Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as evidence of colluding with foreign forces. His communication with other activists and opinion pieces suggesting sanctions against officials were also used against him, with judges comparing his actions to an American citizen asking Russia to help overthrow the US government.
The trial has drawn fierce international condemnation and concern over the erosion of Hong Kong's freedoms. Human rights groups like Reporters Without Borders slammed the conviction as "unlawful" and based on "trumped-up charges," viewing it as a shattering blow to press freedom in the territory. Supporters gathered outside the court expressed dismay but little surprise, reflecting a growing numbness to Beijing's crackdown on dissent. Meanwhile, Lai's health has become a focal point, with his family raising alarms about his diabetes and the toll of long-term solitary confinement, claims the Hong Kong government denies.
This verdict effectively concludes a legal saga that has seen Lai detained since December 2020. Once a freewheeling symbol of Hong Kong's unique status under the "one country, two systems" principle, Lai's prosecution and the closure of Apple Daily underscore the city's transformation into a jurisdiction ruled by "patriots only" where political opposition is systematically dismantled. Sentencing is expected at a later date, with Lai set to reappear in court on January 12 for mitigation.