Yung Chi Wai Derek / Shutterstock.com
CV NEWS FEED // Jimmy Lai, a Catholic media tycoon and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, remains on trial under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law, a year after the proceedings began.
Accused of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material, the 77-year-old could face life imprisonment if convicted. His case has drawn international attention as a symbol of Beijing’s crackdown on dissent and the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. The trial has been marked by irregularities, including the absence of a jury and the use of judges handpicked by Hong Kong’s chief executive. Lai has been denied bail, his choice of legal counsel, and access to religious sacraments during his nearly four years in detention.
>> JIMMY LAI TRIAL: CATHOLIC JOURNALIST TESTIFIES IN HONG KONG HEARING <<
Mark Simon — who has worked for Jimmy Lai since 2001 and who is a former senior executive of Next Digital, Lai’s media company that published Apple Daily — told CatholicVote that for the Chinese Communist Party, “Jimmy was guilty the day he was arrested. It’s just taken a year to go through the paperwork.”
“The prosecution didn’t make its case, so the judges are doing it for them,” Simon said.
Benedict Rogers of Hong Kong Watch described Lai as “the embodiment of Hong Kong’s story: rags-to-riches, a fight for freedom, and a travesty of justice.” Lai’s prosecution, according to Rogers, demonstrates the CCP’s determination to dismantle basic rights in Hong Kong, including freedom of expression and press.
Despite opportunities to flee, Lai chose to stay in Hong Kong and speak out for democracy and human rights. His son, Sebastien Lai, has called for international action, emphasizing his father’s harsh imprisonment conditions, including denial of medical care and exposure to extreme heat in prison.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently ruled that Lai’s imprisonment is unlawful, citing multiple violations of his rights and calling for his immediate release. The UN also urged Hong Kong authorities to provide compensation and conduct an independent investigation into his detention.
The United Kingdom, which had been slow to address the issue, has recently intensified its stance. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy labeled the charges against Lai as “politically motivated,” and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for his immediate release. The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China also condemned Lai’s trial, stating it “violates international law and must be widely condemned.”
During his testimony, Lai argued that the National Security Law has undermined Hong Kong’s rule of law and been used to justify arbitrary arrests. He stated that his work at Apple Daily was not political but aimed at informing Hong Kong citizens. Lai criticized the CCP’s authoritarian policies, asserting that global peace requires China’s integration into the international community. He also highlighted the detrimental economic effects of Beijing’s policies, noting that foreign investment is essential for China’s economic survival.
Cardinal Joseph Zen, a prominent critic of the CCP, attended Lai’s trial in solidarity. Cardinal Zen, also under investigation for alleged violations of the National Security Law, has remained an outspoken defender of religious and political freedom in Hong Kong.
The trial coincides with sentencing for 45 other pro-democracy legislators and activists, highlighting the extensive scope of the CCP’s crackdown. There are reportedly over 1,800 political prisoners in Hong Kong, including many democratically elected officials and journalists.
International organizations have expressed concern over the broader implications of Lai’s case and the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. Amnesty International reported that Apple Daily was shut down in 2021 after authorities froze its assets and arrested several of its staff. Lai himself acknowledged concerns about the National Security Law before its implementation, stating that independent media could not survive under such restrictions.
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China criticized the timing of Lai’s trial, noting it coincides with efforts by Hong Kong authorities to attract U.S. investment. The commission questioned how politically motivated prosecutions could coexist with Hong Kong’s aspirations to remain a global financial hub.
>> JIMMY LAI’S SON SPEAKS OUT ON HARSH CONDITIONS OF FATHER’S HONG KONG IMPRISONMENT <<
Meanwhile, Sebastien Lai continues to advocate for his father’s release, describing his imprisonment as a dire threat to his health and life. Calls for targeted sanctions against Beijing and Hong Kong officials responsible for the crackdown are gaining momentum as the international community watches the ongoing trial.
