Jailed HK tycoon's 'teeth rotting and fingernails falling off', daughter tells BBC

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the release of Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon. Lai was recently convicted on three charges under Hong Kong's national security law, a verdict widely criticized as a blow to press freedom. Trump stated he raised the issue with Xi, possibly during their meeting in South Korea in October, citing concerns about Lai's health after he has spent over 1,800 days in prison. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the conviction, accusing Beijing of suppressing dissent and urging Lai's release on humanitarian grounds. Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, faces a possible life sentence.

Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old media billionaire and UK citizen, faces a potential life sentence in Hong Kong for national security offenses. He was a key figure in the 2019 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, using his newspaper, Apple Daily, to advocate for liberal democracy. In 2020, China imposed a national security law, leading to Lai's arrest. He remained in Hong Kong, stating he owed the city his success and wanted to preserve its freedoms. Lai was found guilty of colluding with foreign forces, with the court citing his strong opposition to the Chinese Communist Party and desire for political change in China.

Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy media tycoon and British citizen, was convicted in Hong Kong on Monday on national security charges, including conspiracy to publish seditious publications and collusion with foreign forces. The charges stem from Hong Kong's national security law and a colonial-era sedition law. Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, faces a potential life sentence. Governments and rights groups worldwide, including the UK, Australia, the EU, and Taiwan, have condemned the conviction, citing concerns about the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Lai was accused of using Apple Daily and political connections to lobby for foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong following pro-democracy protests. The prosecution used evidence from before the national security law took effect, drawing criticism.

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.

In Hong Kong on December 15, 2025, media mogul Jimmy Lai was convicted by the High Court of sedition and colluding with foreign forces. Lai, a 78-year-old pro-democracy activist and critic of Beijing, faces a potential life sentence. The charges stem from Hong Kong's national security law. Lai's conviction is significant due to his prominent role in the pro-democracy movement and his criticism of the Chinese government. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Hong Kong and Beijing regarding political freedoms.

On Monday, a Hong Kong court will deliver the verdict in the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old media mogul and pro-democracy activist. Lai, who founded the now-closed Apple Daily, has been imprisoned for five years and faces charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material. The charges stem from his support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and criticism of Beijing. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, but could face a life sentence if convicted. His family has expressed concerns about his deteriorating health while in solitary confinement. The verdict marks the end of a landmark case that symbolizes Hong Kong's changing political landscape.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was convicted on national security charges in December 2025 after years of criticism of China's government. The court found him guilty of conspiring with foreign forces and publishing seditious material, charges carrying a potential life sentence. Lai, a long-time critic of Beijing, was arrested five years prior and has been portrayed by Chinese authorities as a traitor. His conviction is seen as a consequence of the 2020 national security law imposed after anti-government protests. Lai's case highlights the significant changes in Hong Kong and the suppression of dissent since the implementation of the law.