Overview
- Judges found Lai guilty of conspiring to publish subversive materials and of conspiring with foreign forces to endanger national security.
- The court directed his defense to submit mitigating arguments by January 2, 2026, with proceedings to resume on January 12 and the sentencing date yet to be announced.
- The convictions carry a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Hong Kong's national security law.
- President Donald Trump said he asked China’s Xi Jinping to consider releasing Lai.
- The ruling follows the 2021 shutdown of Lai’s Apple Daily and comes as Hong Kong’s Democratic Party voted to disband.