Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Convicted: The Decline of Press Freedom Under National Security Law

The founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper has been incarcerated since 2020.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai was declared guilty Monday on three national security charges, a verdict that human rights organizations condemned as signaling the end of press freedom in the Chinese financial center.

According to prosecutors, Lai orchestrated two conspiracies to request foreign nations to take measures against Hong Kong or China, and they alleged he published materials they claimed "incited discontent" against the government.

The 78-year-old, who maintained his innocence against all charges, now faces potential life imprisonment when sentenced. He retains the right to appeal Monday's convictions.

"There is no question that (Lai) harbored resentment and animosity toward the PRC throughout much of his adult life," Judge Esther Toh stated in court, referring to the People's Republic of China.

"His persistent appeals to the US to assist in overthrowing the PRC Government under the pretext of helping Hong Kong's population would be comparable to an American citizen seeking Russia's help to overthrow the US Government under the guise of assisting California."

Lai, dressed in a light green cardigan and grey jacket, remained stoic as he heard the verdicts with arms folded, offering no verbal response.

Upon leaving, he acknowledged his wife Teresa and son Lai Shun-yan in the public gallery with a nod, observed by an AFP reporter present in court.

Defense attorney Robert Pang informed reporters outside the courthouse that Lai "maintains good spirits."

Numerous police officers were stationed around the West Kowloon court in the morning, with an armored vehicle positioned nearby.

Diplomatic representatives from the United States, European Union, and France were among attendees, alongside Hong Kong pro-democracy veterans including Cardinal Joseph Zen and former legislator Emily Lau.

'Death knell for press freedom' The founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper has been detained since 2020.

His case has drawn widespread criticism as exemplifying the deterioration of political freedoms under the national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong following major pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019, some involving violence.

"The predictability of today's verdict doesn't diminish its disheartening nature – Jimmy Lai's conviction appears to signal the end of press freedom in Hong Kong," Amnesty International stated.

Reporters Without Borders described the "unlawful conviction" as illustrative of "the alarming decline of media freedom in the territory," while the Committee to Protect Journalists labeled it a "sham conviction" and "a disgraceful act of persecution."

Beijing, meanwhile, stated Friday it "firmly supports" Hong Kong in "protecting national security" from criminal activities.

Lai previously described himself as a "born rebel" and defied China's Communist Party for years while building his multimillion-dollar clothing and media enterprises.

The 78-year-old holds British citizenship, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure from rights organizations to secure his release.

Prior to Monday's verdict, another former Apple Daily employee named Chan recalled that Lai desired a "free and democratic China."

"He loved the country deeply, he simply didn't support the regime. (The situation) is absurd," Chan told AFP outside court.

Health concerns Lai appeared thinner than when first taken into custody, prompting concern among some of his dozens of supporters who gathered at daybreak outside the court.

"I really want to see how 'the boss' is doing, to check if his health has deteriorated," said Tammy Cheung, who worked at Lai's newspaper for nearly two decades.

Lai's family recently reported he had lost weight and showed visible deterioration of his nails and teeth during his extended imprisonment.

His daughter Claire informed AFP last week that Lai, who has diabetes, had "lost a very significant amount of weight" and exhibited nail and tooth decay.

National security police chief superintendent Steve Li told reporters Monday that Claire Lai's health concerns about her father constituted smearing.

Authorities have maintained that Lai receives "adequate and comprehensive" care, and that his solitary confinement was "at his own request."

Extensive trial Prosecutors referenced 161 items published by Apple Daily in their case against Lai.

These items, including opinion articles bearing Lai's byline and talk shows he hosted, were deemed seditious under colonial-era legislation for "inciting discontent" against the government.

Prosecutors also alleged Lai masterminded and financially supported the protest group "Stand with Hong Kong, Fight for Freedom."

Lai countered that he never attempted to influence other countries' foreign policies, stating that Apple Daily represented Hongkongers' fundamental values: "rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly."

Apple Daily was forced to cease operations in 2021 following police raids. Six senior executives were charged as co-defendants and have already admitted guilt.