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Verdict delivered in high-profile national security case
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty on Monday of colluding with foreign forces under the city's sweeping national security legislation. The 78-year-old, who has been detained since December 2020, faces a potential life sentence. Sentencing is expected in early 2026.
Court findings and charges
Judge Esther Toh ruled that Lai used his now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper to urge foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. The court concluded Lai "harbored hatred" toward the People's Republic of China and sought to undermine its government under the pretext of aiding Hong Kong residents.
In addition to collusion, Lai was convicted of publishing seditious material under a colonial-era law. The judge cited his meetings with U.S. officials, including then-Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as evidence of his efforts to influence foreign policy.
"I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me," Lai testified about his conversation with Pence. Regarding Pompeo, he stated, "I asked him not to do something but to say something-to voice support for Hong Kong."
Reactions and international response
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee praised the verdict, asserting Lai's actions "damaged the country's interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers." Rights groups, however, condemned the ruling as a "cruel judicial farce," arguing the national security law has been weaponized to suppress dissent.
The UK government denounced the conviction as "politically motivated persecution," calling for the law's repeal. Human Rights Watch's Asia Director Elaine Pearson urged governments to pressure authorities for Lai's immediate release, labeling the case an abuse by the Chinese Communist Party to silence critics.
Broader implications for Hong Kong
Lai's trial has become a symbol of eroding judicial independence in Hong Kong, with critics pointing to the national security law's near-perfect conviction rate-reportedly 100% as of May 2025. The legislation, imposed by Beijing in 2020 without local legislative input, grants authorities sweeping powers to target perceived threats to stability.
Lai's detention conditions have drawn concern. Held in solitary confinement, his family and lawyers report deteriorating health. His son Sebastien told the BBC earlier this year that his father's "body is breaking down" and warned he may not survive imprisonment given his age and medical state.
Lai's legacy and public support
A former textile magnate who founded the clothing brand Giordano, Lai became a vocal democracy advocate after China's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. His publications, including Apple Daily, became platforms for pro-democracy voices during the 2019 protests that roiled Hong Kong.
Despite the verdict, Lai's supporters remain steadfast. Around 80 people queued overnight to attend Monday's hearing, with one supporter, Ms. Lam, waiting nearly 24 hours in cold conditions to wish him luck. A former Apple Daily journalist in court told the BBC, "Hong Kongers are grateful to him for upholding core values-rule of law, freedom, and democracy-at great personal cost."
Next steps
Lai's legal team has not confirmed whether they will appeal. His lawyer, Robert Pang, stated they need time to review the lengthy judgment before deciding. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's national security police reiterated that Lai's actions were driven by "political goals," while state media on the mainland framed the verdict as a warning against separatism.
