Hong Kong court to hear plea for lighter sentence in pro-democracy ex-media mogul Jimmy Lai’s case

Hong Kong Court Begins Sentencing Hearing for Media Mogul Jimmy Lai

A Hong Kong court convened Monday to hear arguments in the sentencing phase for pro-democracy advocate and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who faces potential life imprisonment following his conviction under Beijing’s national security law.

Lai, 78, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, has been in custody for five years since his 2020 arrest. The prominent critic of China’s Communist Party was found guilty in December on charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials.

Before dawn, dozens of supporters lined up outside the courthouse hoping to secure seats in the public gallery for the four-day mitigation hearings. Among them was Simon Ng, a retiree and former Apple Daily reader, who had been waiting since Friday morning.

“I want to let him know that he’s not alone. Many people support him,” Ng said.

The conviction of the British citizen has drawn international criticism, particularly from the United States and United Kingdom, and raised serious concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong. The former British colony returned to Chinese control in 1997 under the “one country, two systems” framework that promised certain freedoms.

In their December verdict, the panel of three government-vetted judges declared Lai the mastermind behind the alleged conspiracies. They specifically cited what they characterized as his “constant invitation” to the United States to pressure the Chinese government under the guise of supporting Hong Kongers.

Though Lai’s legal team acknowledged he had previously called for foreign sanctions before the national security law took effect in 2020, they maintained he ceased such advocacy once the legislation was implemented. The defense also based significant portions of their argument on freedom of expression principles.

The judges rejected these claims, concluding that Lai never wavered in his intention to destabilize China’s ruling party. They determined that his only intent, both before and after the security law’s enactment, was to seek the Communist Party’s downfall “at the expense of the people of China and Hong Kong.” The court emphasized that Lai was not on trial for his political views.

Lai faces three separate charges: two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to distribute seditious publications. The national security law charges carry potential sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment, while the colonial-era sedition charge brings a maximum two-year sentence.

Six former Apple Daily executives and two activists involved in Lai’s case had previously entered guilty pleas, admitting they conspired with him to request foreign sanctions and other punitive measures against China. These individuals, including publisher Cheung Kim-hung and editor-in-chief Ryan Law, served as prosecution witnesses during the 156-day trial.

Under Hong Kong’s legal system, their guilty pleas could result in reduced sentences, particularly as the security law provides for leniency to those who provide information about offenses committed by others.

Lai’s health has visibly deteriorated during his prolonged detention. His lawyers informed the court in August that he had experienced heart palpitations, though Hong Kong authorities reported no abnormalities following a medical examination. After the December verdict, Lai’s daughter Claire stated that if released, her father would focus on “God and his family” rather than political activities.

The case has become a focal point for international diplomacy. Following the verdict, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had raised Lai’s case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping and “asked to consider his release.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has similarly prioritized securing freedom for Lai, emphasizing his status as a British citizen.

Beijing has firmly rejected what it calls the “smearing” of Hong Kong’s judiciary by foreign governments, maintaining that the city’s courts operate independently according to law. The final sentencing decision, expected after the current hearings conclude, will likely further test diplomatic relations between China and Western nations.