Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Convicted After Years of Opposition

Decades of dissent culminate in a life‑sentence verdict

Jimmy Lai, the founder of the outspoken newspaper Apple Daily, has spent more than three decades challenging the policies of the Chinese Communist Party. His relentless criticism made him a symbol of press freedom in Hong Kong.

In a landmark ruling, a Hong Kong court found Lai guilty of violating the city’s national‑security law, a charge that carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment. The verdict marks the culmination of a protracted legal battle that began shortly after the law was imposed in 2020.

Legal experts say the case reflects a broader crackdown on dissent, while human‑rights groups warn that the decision could further erode Hong Kong’s autonomy and press freedoms.