On Monday, a Hong Kong court found 78‑year‑old pro‑democracy figure Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious articles, a verdict that could lock him in prison for life.\n\n## The Trial\n\nThree government‑vetted judges heard the case in a court that did not use a jury. Lai, who was arrested in August 2020 under Beijing’s national security law, has spent five years in custody, much of it in solitary confinement. The trial lasted 156 days, during which Lai testified for 52 days in his own defense.\n\n## Family Reactions\n\nSebastien Lai, Jimmy’s son, said the family had expected a guilty verdict but found it devastating. \”In the 800‑page verdict there is essentially nothing, nothing that incriminates him,\” he told reporters in London. Claire Lai, his daughter, said she dreams of reuniting with her father without guards watching over her. \”I think what today has proven is that that reunion that I dream of, it won’t be through the once extremely promising but now very, very highly compromised Hong Kong legal system,\” she said in Washington.\n\n## Judge’s Findings\n\nJudge Esther Toh read from the 855‑page verdict, stating that Lai had \”extended a constant invitation to the U.S. to help bring down the Chinese government with the excuse of helping Hong Kongers.\” The judges ruled that Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracies and that his evidence was contradictory and unreliable. They concluded that his intent, before and after the national security law, was to seek the downfall of the ruling Communist Party.\n\n## Health Concerns\n\nDuring the marathon trial Lai’s health appeared to deteriorate. His lawyers reported heart palpitations in August, and his children said he lost 10 kilograms (22 pounds) in the past year, lost nails and teeth, and suffered infections, back pain, diabetes, heart issues and high blood pressure. Hong Kong’s government said a medical examination found no abnormalities and that the services provided were adequate.\n\n## International Response\n\nU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the verdict reflected Beijing’s law being used to silence those who defend freedom of speech. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the politically motivated prosecution and said her country would continue to call for his release. The European Union also deplored the conviction. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China opposed the vilification of Hong Kong’s judiciary by \”certain countries\”.\n\nReporters Without Borders’ director general Thibaut Bruttin said, \”It is not an individual who has been on trial — it is press freedom itself, and with this verdict that has been shattered.\” Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the verdict has nothing to do with press freedom.\n\n## Verdict and Aftermath\n\nThe conviction could send Lai to prison for life. He will be sentenced on a later date. Hearings for Lai and other defendants are set to begin on Jan. 12. The Apple Daily, the newspaper he founded, was forced to shut in 2021 after police raided its newsroom and froze its assets.\n\n## Key Takeaways\n\n- Jimmy Lai, 78, convicted of conspiracy and seditious publishing.\n- The trial lasted 156 days; Lai testified for 52 days.\n- International leaders and human‑rights groups condemned the verdict.\n\nBefore sunrise residents queued outside the court building to secure a seat. Former Apple Daily employee Tammy Cheung arrived at 5 a.m., saying she wanted to know about Lai’s condition after reports of his health. She said she felt the process was being rushed since the verdict date was announced only last Friday, but added, \”I’m relieved that this case can at least conclude soon.\”\n\nThe verdict is a test for Beijing’s diplomatic ties and a barometer of media freedom in Hong Kong, where the national security law was imposed following the 2019 protests.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
When not tracking a developing story, Morgan enjoys exploring Austin’s neighborhoods, attending local events, and connecting with residents to share the voices and experiences that define the community.
