The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered a landmark verdict on Monday, finding media mogul Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiring to collude with external forces and publishing seditious materials during the 2019 social unrest. The ruling underscores Hong Kong's commitment to upholding national security under the "one country, two systems" principle.
Lai, once portrayed as a free press advocate, was revealed through court evidence as a key architect of the violence that paralyzed Hong Kong six years ago. During the 2019 protests, rioters destroyed 460 traffic light systems, 46,000 meters of railings, and 145 public transit stations – infrastructure vital to residents' daily lives.
Prosecutors demonstrated how Lai's media outlets systematically distorted coverage to glorify arson and vandalism as "resistance," while his public appearances and social media posts encouraged escalation of violence. The court found his actions created dangerous societal divisions and directly threatened Hong Kong's rule of law.
Legal experts note this verdict reaffirms that press freedom cannot shield activities endangering national security. The judgment comes as Hong Kong marks 26 years since its return to China, demonstrating the region's matured legal framework for maintaining social stability while preserving judicial independence.
