Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner and media tycoon, Jimmy Lai,has been found guilty of colluding with foreign forces under the city’s controversial national security law.
The 78-year-old UK citizen, jailed since December 2020, pleaded not guilty and faces life imprisonment, with sentencing expected early next year.
The court found Lai used his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.
Judge Esther Toh said there is “no doubt” that Lai “harboured hatred” for China, citing his “constant invitation to the US to help bring down the government of the PRC with the excuse of helping the people of Hong Kong.”
Lai denied the charges, saying during testimony, he had “never” used foreign contacts to influence policy. About meetings with then-US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Lai said he did not request action but merely “relayed” information or asked them “to voice support for Hong Kong.”
Lai, a key figure in the 2019 pro-democracy protests, was also found guilty of publishing seditious material under a colonial-era law.
He appeared calm as the verdict was read, waving goodbye to his family. His lawyer, Robert Pang, said,“The judgement is so long that we’ll need some time to study it first.”
His son, Sebastien Lai, urged the UK to “do more” and make his father’s release a precondition for closer ties with China.
The UK condemned what it called “politically motivated persecution” and called for the NSL to be repealed. Human Rights Watch’s Elaine Pearson added: “The Chinese government abused Jimmy Lai with the aim of silencing all those who dare to criticise the CCP.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun dismissed criticism, saying China expresses “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the brazen defamation and smearing of the judicial system in Hong Kong.”
Lai, who fled mainland China for Hong Kong at 12 and founded clothing brand Giordano, began activism after the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
He launched Apple Daily and other publications, advocating for democracy.
In court, supporters reflected on his role in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. A former journalist said, “Jimmy always said that he was indebted to Hong Kong… but I think Hong Kong and most Hong Kongers are so grateful to have him upholding the core values, good faith and integrity for the community at the expense of his well being and personal freedom.”
Lai emphasized during testimony that Apple Daily never advocated for independence, stating, “The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong… including the ‘rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly’.”
