Jimmy Lai sentencing set for Monday in Hong Kong national security trial

A Hong Kong court will sentence former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and his associates on Monday for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in violation of the National Security Law.Three High Court judges who oversaw Lai’s high-profile trial are expected to hand down penalties on the 78-year-old defendant at 10am, according to the judiciary website.The justices, hand-picked by the city leader to adjudicate national security cases, will also sentence six former senior executives of Lai’s Apple Daily newspaper, three companies associated with the outlet and two activists in what is expected to be an hour-long hearing at West Kowloon Court.Rumours about the sentencing began circulating on Thursday afternoon, as dozens of journalists set up stepladders and placards outside the court building to reserve places in the public gallery.Members of the public hoping to secure admission tickets also began camping outside the court premises on Thursday night, as a dozen police officers in bulletproof vests kept them under surveillance.By the time of sentencing, Lai will have spent nearly five years and two months behind bars. He has been in custody for all but eight days since being denied bail in December 2020.