Jimmy Lai Found Guilty of Violating the National Security Law on December 15

On December 15, 2025, Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty in court of two counts of conspiring with foreign forces and one count of conspiring to publish seditious materials under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

The trial was heard by three designated judges, beginning in December 2023 and lasting approximately 156 days, with all closing arguments concluded by August 2025.

The case involved Lai and three related companies of Apple Daily, charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to print seditious publications. Lai was first arrested in August 2020 for allegedly violating the National Security Law, with multiple court appearances and detention since then, totaling over five years in custody. The trial commenced in December 2023 and spanned around 156 days of evidence presentation and closing arguments. The prosecution submitted 161 articles, social media content, and communications with foreign individuals as evidence. Lai testified extensively, denying all charges and claiming his actions were protected under freedom of speech.

The prosecution argued that Lai was the mastermind, colluding with US officials and other foreign parties to request sanctions and reach agreements, while using programs and articles to spread seditious messages and encourage protest. The defense emphasized that Apple Daily, as a media organization, was exercising journalistic oversight, publicly expressing political viewpoints and supporting freedom of speech, which should not constitute conspiracy. They also argued that Lai’s appeals to foreign entities did not explicitly request sanctions, and the allegedly seditious content represented a very small portion of the overall publications, making it difficult to prove incitement.

Other former Apple Daily executives, journalists, and assistants involved in the case have pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial for related charges. Lai’s health significantly deteriorated during long-term detention, prompting his legal team to raise concerns with the court. Although Lai was found guilty, sentencing is scheduled for a later hearing, expected around January 2026, and the specific sentence has not yet been announced.