HONG KONG: Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty on all three charges in his national security trial on Monday, convictions that rights groups denounced as the death knell for press freedoms in the Chinese financial hub.
Prosecutors said Lai was the mastermind behind two conspiracies to ask foreign countries to take action against Hong Kong or China, and accused him of publishing material that “excited disaffection” against the government.
The 78-year-old, who pleaded not guilty, faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced. He can appeal against the convictions.
“There is no doubt that (Lai) had harboured his resentment and hatred of the PRC,” Judge Esther Toh told the court, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
She said he had invited the United States “to help bring down” the Chinese government, “with the excuse of helping the people of HK”.
Lai is a British citizen, and the UK government condemned his “politically motivated prosecution” in a statement that called for his release.
The media mogul, wearing a light green cardigan and grey jacket, listened impassively as the verdicts were read out.
He nodded to his wife Teresa and his son Lai Shun-yan in the public gallery as he left the court, an AFP reporter saw.
Defence lawyer Robert Pang told reporters that Lai was “in fine spirits” and that they would need to read the 886-page verdict before deciding on their next steps.
Lai’s other son Sebastien urged Britain to “do more” to help free his father.
“It’s time to put action behind words and make my father’s release a pre-condition to closer relationships with China,” he told a press conference in London.
US, EU and French consular representatives were in court, as well as veterans from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp, including Cardinal Joseph Zen and former legislator Emily Lau.
The European Union said the conviction was “emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong since the imposition of the National Security Law”, imposed by Beijing after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.
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