Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai convicted in high-profile national security trial
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Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai was convicted of colluding with foreign forces under the city's national security law (NSL). The 78-year-old UK citizen, who has been jailed since December 2020, faces a possible life sentence. The court found that Lai used his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. Hong Kong's chief executive welcomed the verdict, while rights groups condemned it as a "judicial farce," arguing the NSL is used to crush dissent. Lai, a key figure in the 2019 pro-democracy protests, denied the charges, stating he only relayed information and asked for verbal support from foreign officials. Beijing introduced the NSL in response to the protests, granting authorities broad powers to jail those deemed threats.
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AI-ExtractedLai denied all charges, saying he had "never" used his foreign contacts to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong.
Rights groups called it "a cruel judicial farce".
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee welcomed the verdict, noting that Lai's actions "damaged the country's interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers".
Lai used his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper as part of a wider effort to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.
Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of colluding with foreign forces under the city's controversial national security law (NSL).
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