Overview
- Three designated judges found Lai guilty on two counts of colluding with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious material, describing him as the mastermind of the conspiracies.
- Collusion under the security law carries a maximum of life imprisonment, and Lai can appeal after the court hears mitigation next month.
- Judges cited Lai’s outreach to U.S. officials, including meetings with Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, and 161 Apple Daily items as evidence supporting the charges.
- The conviction drew condemnation from the UK, US and media watchdogs such as CPJ and RSF, while Beijing and Hong Kong officials defended the ruling as a lawful safeguard of national security.
- Lai has been detained since December 2020, much of it in solitary confinement, with his family alleging deteriorating health and authorities asserting he receives adequate medical care.