Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old self-made billionaire and the founder of the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, was convicted last week in a landmark national security trial. This conviction now threatens to give him a life sentence. The trial concluded as concerns were escalating that opposition was being crushed in Hong Kong. Her fearless diatribe against the Chinese Communist Party has for years earned Lai top billing on international press outlets’ frontpages.
Lai is well-known for his uncompromising defense of democracy. His Apple Daily was a pioneering, pro-democracy voice in Asia that unceasingly criticized the Chinese government. The publication was forced to close in 2021 following a crackdown on media freedom under the national security law. Lai’s legal troubles began in late 2020. He was arrested, harshly beaten, and charged with three serious offenses, including sedition and colluding with foreign forces.
Throughout his more than 1,800 days in maximum-security prison, much of which was spent in solitary confinement, Lai maintained his innocence. His attorney entered a not guilty plea to all counts on his behalf. He claimed that his actions were intended to protect, not pose a threat to, national democracy.
The prosecution presented evidence of Lai’s lobbying efforts with U.S. politicians during President Donald Trump’s administration as part of their case. For good reason—he rubbed elbows with high-profile figures like then-Vice President Mike Pence and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. These meetings then became key elements of the allegations against him. Lai sought an audience with Trump himself to secure backing for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
The judges expressed their views during the trial, stating, “We are satisfied (Lai) was the mastermind in the conspiracies.” They further noted that his “only intent … was to seek the downfall of the (Chinese Communist Party).” These comments, unsurprisingly, give an idea of how seriously this court viewed Lai’s actions and their impact on this nation’s national security.
In March 2022, Lai received a five-year, nine-month sentence on unrelated fraud charges. This contributed to his long saga of time served. His newest conviction leaves very troubling implications in terms of freedom of expression and what’s to come for dissent in Hong Kong.
