Jimmy Lai Found Guilty Under Hong Kong National Security Law

Hong Kong, — The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday found Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, guilty on charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and conspiring to publish seditious materials.

The verdict was handed down by the court in the national security case concerning Lai and three companies linked to the now-defunct Apple Daily.

The defendants include Jimmy Lai, Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and Apple Daily Internet Limited, all of whom faced charges of conspiracy to publish seditious materials and conspiracy to collude with external forces. Lai was also facing a separate charge of conspiring to collude with external forces.

The trial officially commenced on Dec. 18, 2023, and has been presided over by three judges appointed under the Hong Kong National Security Law. The prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence on June 11, 2024, and on July 25, the court ruled that all charges were substantiated. Lai’s testimony began on Nov. 20, 2024, and concluded in March 2025. Closing arguments began on Aug. 18 and were finalized on Aug. 28.