Overview
- The High Court began four days of mitigation hearings on Jan. 12 for Lai and eight co-defendants, with sentencing to be set later.
- Prosecutors cited a Jan. 9 medical report describing Lai’s condition as stable and court records noting his solitary confinement was by request, prompting judicial skepticism over health-based reductions.
- Lai’s lawyers argued his age, years in isolation and chronic conditions warrant a lighter term, though judges indicated the case falls into the national security law’s “grave nature” category carrying a 10-years-to-life range.
- Several former Apple Daily executives and two activists who pleaded guilty—some serving as prosecution witnesses—pressed for reduced sentences, with pleas and cooperation highlighted during the hearings.
- The convictions drew condemnation from the U.S., UK, EU and UN experts, and U.S. President Donald Trump said he asked China’s Xi Jinping to consider Lai’s release, while Hong Kong and Beijing authorities defend the trial as lawful.