A Hong Kong court has found Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and sedition under the territory's Beijing-imposed national security law. The 78-year-old British citizen and media tycoon faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing expected early next year. The UK Government condemned the verdict as politically motivated, calling for Lai's immediate release.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the prosecution. "The UK condemns the politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai that has resulted in today's guilty verdict," she said. Cooper added that "Jimmy Lai has been targeted by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression."
She called for concrete action. "The UK has repeatedly called for the national security law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it," Cooper said. The Foreign Secretary demanded Lai's immediate release, necessary medical treatment, and full access to independent medical professionals.
Opposition demands direct intervention
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel described the case as a "political show trial" and "an outrage to democracy, personal freedom and liberty." She urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to "directly raise Jimmy's case with President Xi (Jinping) and demand Jimmy's immediate release from custody so his ordeal can end, he can be returned to Britain and be reunited with his family."
Patel criticized the government's response. "The imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong is in violation of the freedoms that should have been guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and the British Government has not done enough to oppose the suppression of freedom and human rights in Hong Kong," she said.
Judge finds "no doubt" of guilt
Presiding Judge Esther Toh stated Lai "harboured hatred" for the People's Republic of China. The court ruled there was "no doubt" about his guilt, citing what it described as a "constant invitation to the US to help bring down the government of the PRC with the excuse of helping the people of Hong Kong."
Lai pleaded not guilty to all charges. He has been in jail since December 2020, spending much of that time in solitary confinement. His lawyer Robert Pang said after the verdict: "Mr Lai's spirit is okay." Pang added: "The judgement is so long that we'll need some time to study it first. [...]"
Hong Kong government welcomes verdict
Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee welcomed the ruling, stating Lai's actions "damaged the country's interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers." The city's national security police chief told media Lai "fabricated news" for "political goals."
Rights groups called the verdict "a cruel judicial farce." Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said: "The Chinese government abused Jimmy Lai with the aim of silencing all those who dare to criticise the CCP [Chinese Communist Party]." She urged governments to pressure authorities to withdraw the case and release him immediately.
Background on Lai and national security law
Lai founded the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Born in mainland China, he arrived in Hong Kong at 12 years old and built the international clothing brand Giordano before becoming a democracy activist after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 following massive pro-democracy protests the previous year. Cooper said: "Beijing's national security law was imposed on Hong Kong to silence China's critics." The law has a conviction rate of nearly 100 percent as of May this year.
During his testimony in November, Lai said he asked US officials "not to do something but to say something, to voice support for Hong Kong." He stated: "The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong" - including "rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly."
Lai's wife Teresa and one of his sons were present in court for the verdict. His son Sebastien told the BBC earlier this year that his father's "body is breaking down" and expressed concern that "[...] he will die in prison" given his age and health.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
