Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong's pro-democracy media tycoon and founder of the historic daily newspaper Apple daily, was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces and sedition. The sentence was pronounced by the West Kowloon Court and signed by Judges Alex Lee, Esther Toh, and Susana D'Almada Remedios. Lai, who turned 78 last week, was found guilty of two counts of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law imposed by Beijing in June 2020 and a third count of sedition, based on legislation dating back to the British colonial era. The sentence will be determined at a later stage of the proceedings and could range up to life in prison.

A symbolic trial of the new Hong Kong

The verdict comes five years after the legal proceedings began and is considered by international observers and human rights organizations as one of the most emblematic cases of the erosion of civil liberties in the former British colony. Lai's trial has become a symbol of the tougher enforcement of the national security law, introduced by Beijing after the massive pro-democracy protests of 2019 to strengthen political and judicial control over the city.

The accusations: Apple Daily and its foreign relations

According to the prosecution, Lai would have used his tabloid Apple daily, now closed, as a platform to pressure foreign governments, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, to impose sanctions and hostile measures against China and Hong Kong. The judges found that the publication of articles and comments was aimed at "fomenting discontent" against the government and undermining national security. Part of the evidence also involves meetings with US politicians, appearances in international media, and social media posts, in many cases predating the 2020 law's enactment.

The words of the court

In her reasoning for the decision, Judge Esther Toh stated that "there is no doubt that Lai has harbored resentment and hatred toward the People's Republic of China for much of his adult life," noting that this attitude was clearly evident in his writings. According to the court, Lai had already considered the leverage the United States could use against Beijing before the national security law was passed, thus shaping a coherent and conscious policy plan.

Detention and health conditions

Arrested in August 2020, Jimmy Lai has been held continuously for over 1.800 days, most of which spent in solitary confinement. During the sentencing hearing, he appeared impassive, sitting with his arms folded, wearing a light green cardigan and a gray jacket. His family and lawyers have repeatedly expressed concern about his health, citing problems related to diabetes and heart disease, in addition to the difficulties resulting from his prolonged prison regime.

International reactions and diplomacy

The Lai case has received strong international attention. The British government condemned the verdict, calling it the result of a "politically motivated judicial process" and calling for the immediate release of the media magnate, a British citizen. Beijing's reaction was mixed, expressing its "full support" for the ruling and reiterating the need to punish acts considered a threat to national security. According to diplomatic sources, US President Donald Trump also discussed the case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the APEC forum, but no concrete results were achieved.

Consular representatives from several countries, including the United States and the European Union, were present at the reading of the verdict. Also in the courtroom were Lai's wife, Teresa, his son Shun-yan, and prominent figures in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and former parliamentarian Emily Lau. Their presence heightened the symbolic significance of a trial closely followed well beyond the city's borders.

The political significance of the sentence

For activists and international organizations, the Jimmy Lai case represents a turning point: freedom of the press and expression, cornerstones of the "one country, two systems" model, now appear severely compromised. Amnesty International has called the trial a "judicial farce" and reiterated that Lai is a prisoner of conscience. While awaiting the final sentence, his fate remains tied not only to Hong Kong's courts, but also to the balance of global diplomacy between China and the West. Lai's conviction undoubtedly comes amid a progressive dismantling of political opposition in Hong Kong.