Asia-Pacific

Hong Kong Democracy Activist Jimmy Lai Found Guilty of Sedition, Collusion

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By Alex Chen/Irene Lin

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After five years in a Hong Kong prison, the founder of Hong Kong's now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of sedition and collusion with other countries. Taiwan and other governments have condemned the verdict and raised concerns over the city’s freedoms.

REPORTER:  

A convoy of buses carries jailed pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai away from a Hong Kong courthouse.

 

The former media tycoon has been convicted of sedition, and colluding with foreign forces.

 

The ruling ends a nearly half-year-long trial under the city’s harsh National Security Law. Sentencing in the landmark case will begin in January, but he could face life in prison.

 

Lai, founder of the now defunct Apply Daily, has long been a vocal critic of China. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

 

Outside, the impact Lai has had on Hong Kongers was clear, with supporters lining up down the block to get a seat in the courtroom, many who’d camped out there overnight. They say they’re worried about the 78-year-old, whose health has worsened after nearly five years in solitary confinement, but they stand behind his mission to protect democracy.

 

BITE:  

Jimmy Lai represents a set of beliefs that are very common among many Hong Kong people. You could say that. He himself has also done a lot of good things. His philosophy and values align with those of a large part of Hong Kong society — people who share similar ideals: democracy, freedom, justice, and conscience. Maybe these sound a bit old-fashioned to say now.

 

REPORTER:  

Critics say Lai’s verdict is just the latest example of Hong Kong’s eroding freedoms under its Beijing-backed government. Authorities there have increasingly clamped down on dissent since the passage of the National Security Law in 2020, following large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations.

 

That’s included press freedom. NGO Reporters without Borders says Lai is one of over a hundred journalists still detained in China and Hong Kong, and urges countries to pressure China’s government for his release.

 

BITE:

the only way of getting Jimmy Lai and all other detained journalists from Hong Kong is really the pressure of the international community and democracies, including President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister. And it's up to them to speak with, uh, leader of CCP XI Jinping and demand his release. Uh, especially because Jimmy Lai is UK citizen only.

 

REPORTER:  

International reactions to Lai’s conviction have been swift.

 

Taiwan’s mainland affairs council, which handles relations with China, called out Hong Kong authorities for stifling speech and press freedom.

 

While the Inter-parliamentary alliance on China, lawmakers from dozens of countries, called the case “a sham trial that fell far short of international fair-trial standards.”

 

Even before the ruling, Lai’s case had gotten the attention of world leaders. US president Donald Trump reportedly appealed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping to release Lai during their meeting in South Korea in October.

 

But prior to the trial on Monday, Beijing signaled support for the Hong Kong government.

 

With Lai now convicted and his sentence pending, journalists and pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong are on high alert as the city grapples with the impacts of this case.

 

Alex Chen and Irene Lin for TaiwanPlus.