At 77 years old, Jimmy Lai, the outspoken founder of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is at the center of one of the city’s most consequential national security trials. His case has become a defining symbol of the erosion of freedoms in the territory once known for its vibrant press and relative autonomy.
From Humble Beginnings to Media Powerhouse
Born in mainland China in 1947, Lai arrived in Hong Kong as a 12-year-old stowaway, working in garment factories before eventually building a successful clothing brand. His life changed dramatically after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, which inspired him to enter the media industry. In 1995, he founded Apple Daily, a tabloid that quickly gained influence for its populist style and fearless criticism of both the Hong Kong government and Beijing.
Arrest Under the National Security Law
Lai’s prominence and outspoken defense of democracy made him a primary target after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in 2020. He was arrested on charges of collusion with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials. Authorities accuse him of calling for international sanctions and using his newspaper as a platform to undermine state power.
Since his arrest, Lai has remained in custody, facing multiple convictions in separate cases, including fraud and unauthorized assembly. His ongoing detention has been marked by lengthy solitary confinement and limited access to the outside world.
A Trial Without Jury
Lai’s national security trial, which began in late 2023, has been conducted without a jury, overseen by a panel of three judges selected by the government. Over the course of the hearings, Lai gave extensive testimony, defending his actions as journalism and political expression rather than criminal activity. The prosecution, however, argued that his writings and public appeals directly endangered national security.
Closing Arguments and Awaiting Verdict
After months of proceedings and nearly 160 trial days, closing arguments concluded in August 2025. The court has not yet delivered a verdict. If found guilty, Lai could face a sentence of several years to life in prison.
A Symbol Beyond Hong Kong
The trial has drawn global attention as a measure of how far Hong Kong’s freedoms have eroded under Beijing’s tightening grip. To his supporters, Jimmy Lai represents not just a businessman or publisher, but the enduring spirit of resistance in a city where dissent is increasingly silenced.
The outcome of his case is expected to shape Hong Kong’s political and legal trajectory for years to come, as the world watches whether rule of law can withstand the weight of political power.
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