The verdict of pro-democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai in a Hong Kong court was eagerly anticipated by his family in Ontario’s Niagara Region. Lai’s niece, Erica Lepp, continuously refreshed news websites until she finally learned of the outcome. On Monday, Lai, a vocal critic of the Chinese government, was found guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious material. Despite pleading not guilty, Lai, a British and Hong Kong citizen, was arrested in 2020 under a national security law imposed by Beijing after the 2019 anti-government protests. He is the owner of Vintage Hotels in Niagara and the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily.
The court’s decision, based on 161 articles from Apple Daily, did not surprise Lai’s family members, who believed the outcome was predetermined. Lai’s relatives in the U.K. were saddened but expected the judgment. According to his son, Sebastien Lai, the extensive 800-page verdict lacked incriminating evidence. Lai’s daughter, Claire, condemned the verdict as a miscarriage of justice and expressed hope for a family reunion.
The trial outcome deeply affected Lai’s family and supporters, who believe he was unfairly targeted. Amnesty International’s Niagara chapter sent letters to Lai in prison and urged world leaders to intervene for leniency in his sentencing. Reports indicate Lai’s deteriorating health while in prison, with significant weight loss and health issues, including heart problems and diabetes.
Several governments, including the U.K. and the U.S., condemned the politically motivated prosecution of Lai and called for his release. The sentencing phase for Lai, facing a potential life sentence, is set to commence in early 2026, with a mitigation hearing scheduled for January 12.
The international community continues to advocate for Lai’s freedom and denounce the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong under the national security law.
