The city's pro-freedom campaigner and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been convicted of conspiring with foreign forces under the city's controversial national security law.
The 78-year-old, who has been in jail since late 2020, had entered a plea of not guilty. He could receive life in prison and is anticipated to be handed a sentence in the coming months.
The court determined that Lai used his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper as part of a broader effort to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.
The city's chief executive welcomed the ruling, stating that Lai's actions "harmed the country's interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers," while human rights organizations labeled it "a harsh judicial farce."
The Allegations and Court Case
There is "no doubt" that Jimmy Lai "harboured hatred" for the People's Republic of China, the presiding judge said, citing his "constant invitation to the US to help overthrow the government."
When Lai testified earlier, he rejected all accusations against him, saying he had "not once" used his overseas connections to sway foreign policy on Hong Kong.
Lai, a UK citizen and one of the most vocal detractors of the Chinese state, was a central player in the pro-freedom demonstrations that engulfed Hong Kong in 2019.
The national security law was introduced in reaction and gave authorities broad powers to charge and jail people they considered a threat.
Monday's decision also convicted Lai of publishing seditious material under a separate colonial-era law.
International Reaction and Judicial Concerns
"His spirit is okay," his legal counsel said after the verdict. "The judgement is so lengthy that we'll need some time to review it first."
"Authorities targeted Jimmy Lai with the aim of silencing all those who dare to censure the CCP," said a rights organization's Asia Director.
Western governments, such as the UK and US, have for years demanded Lai's freedom, which Chinese authorities and Hong Kong have rejected.
An Examination of Judicial Independence
Lai's trial was widely seen as a test of court autonomy for Hong Kong's courts, which have been alleged of following Beijing's line.
Critics point to the scores of activists jailed under the NSL - and its extremely high conviction rate.
Bail is also frequently denied in NSL cases, despite concerns about deteriorating health raised by Lai's relatives and advocates.
The Hong Kong government has also been faulted for barring foreign lawyers from working on NSL cases without special approval.
From Businessman to Activist
Lai, who fled to Hong Kong as a youth, got his footing as a businessman after founding an international clothing brand.
His path as a pro-freedom campaigner began after the 1989 Tiananmen protests in Beijing.
He started authoring commentaries and went on to launch a string of popular pro-freedom outlets.
Even now, many Hong Kongers see him as a prominent figure for democracy, with many queuing to enter the court ahead of the decision.
In his testimony, Lai had said he "never allowed" his newspaper's staff to advocate for Hong Kong independence, which he called a "conspiracy" and "too crazy to think about."
"The fundamental principles of Apple Daily are actually the fundamental principles of the people of Hong Kong," he had said, listing the "rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech."
