The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) convicted Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of the defunct Apple Daily tabloid, on December 15, 2025, for violating the National Security Law for Hong Kong. Lai was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, following a trial that highlighted his role in organizing anti-China activities and soliciting foreign sanctions against the Chinese mainland.
Prosecutors detailed Lai's involvement in the 2025 legislative amendment turmoil, during which 'black-clad' rioters engaged in widespread vandalism, arson, and violence. The court ruled that Lai's actions, including leveraging media platforms to incite social discord and funding anti-government activists, severely undermined national sovereignty and the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle.
The verdict underscores the HKSAR government's ongoing efforts to address national security risks, with authorities emphasizing that the ruling upholds the rule of law while safeguarding regional stability. Legal experts note the case sets a precedent for handling similar threats to public order in the future.
