Overview
- A panel of three government‑approved judges found the 78‑year‑old Apple Daily founder guilty of conspiring with foreign forces and of publishing seditious material after a lengthy national security trial.
- The 855‑page written judgment, delivered by Judge Esther Toh, concluded Lai orchestrated efforts to solicit foreign sanctions and other hostile acts against China and Hong Kong.
- Sentencing will be set at subsequent hearings, with proceedings scheduled to begin on January 12, and Lai’s lawyers said they are reviewing the judgment with appeals possible.
- Prosecutors highlighted Lai’s 2019 meetings with U.S. officials including Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo and submitted Apple Daily articles, social posts and messages as key evidence.
- The verdict drew condemnation from the U.K., the EU and rights groups, while Hong Kong and Beijing defended the case and authorities said medical examinations found no abnormalities as Lai remains in custody.