Hong Kong's High Court has found 78-year-old media tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material, charges that could result in a life sentence. The verdict, delivered by a panel of three national security judges including Esther Toh, concludes a high-profile trial that began in December 2023. Judge Toh stated there was "no doubt" Lai harbored resentment toward China, a stance prosecutors argued led him to mastermind pro-democracy protests and advocate for U.S. sanctions. Lai, who has already spent five years in jail and 1,800 days in solitary confinement, had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The conviction has drawn sharp international criticism and highlighted the erosion of Hong Kong's judicial independence following the imposition of the national security law. While Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee praised the judiciary's firmness, foreign governments including the U.S. and UK condemned the prosecution. U.S. President Donald Trump notably raised the issue with President Xi Jinping in October, pledging to help Lai. Rights groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists labeled the trial a "sham," arguing Lai's only crime was defending democracy.
The verdict arrives during a sensitive period for the city, which is currently mourning the loss of at least 160 lives in a recent residential fire. Authorities have warned against using the tragedy to incite chaos similar to the 2019 protests. Meanwhile, the democratic opposition in Hong Kong continues to crumble, evidenced by the Democratic Party's vote to disband just one day prior to the verdict. Sentencing for Lai is scheduled for January 12.
________________________________________________________________________
Source: REUTERS