- Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of collusion with foreign forces and sedition under the national security law.
- He faces up to life in prison, with a four-day mitigation hearing scheduled to begin on January 12.
- The court ruled that Lai used his now-shuttered newspaper, Apple Daily, to lobby for international sanctions and promote a political agenda against Beijing and Hong Kong authorities.
Verdict and Judicial Findings
- Judges Alex Lee, Esther Toh, and Susana D’Almada Remedios delivered the verdict at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building.
- The court convicted Lai on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and one count of sedition under colonial-era legislation.
- Lai’s companies, including Apple Daily Ltd, were also found guilty of similar charges.
- In an 850-page judgment, the court characterized Lai’s testimony as "evasive" and "unreliable," noting his intent was to seek the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party.
- The judges noted that Lai’s campaign for foreign sanctions continued even after the 2020 enactment of the national security law, transitioning from "open" to "implicit and subtle" methods.
Background and Legal Arguments
- Lai has been detained for over 1,800 days since December 2020; the marathon trial lasted more than 150 working days.
- Prosecution evidence included Lai’s trips to Washington D.C. in 2019 to meet with US officials, such as Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, to advocate against China.
- The defense argued that Lai’s livestreamed comments were merely analysis of foreign affairs and protected under press freedom, rather than requests for sanctions.
Current Status and Reactions
- Chief Superintendent Steve Li of the National Security Department stated the conviction was "justice served," dismissing concerns regarding Lai’s medical care and health in custody.
- Former Apple Daily executives, including Ryan Law and Chan Pui-man, have pleaded guilty in the same case and await sentencing.
- Family members continue to advocate for international support, citing the 78-year-old’s deteriorating physical condition, which led to temporary court delays earlier this year.