Final arguments concluded in Jimmy Lai’s national security trial, leaving the media tycoon’s fate and Hong Kong’s legal trajectory in the hands of government-appointed judges.

At a Glance

• Jimmy Lai’s trial lasted about five months, concluding final arguments on August 28, 2025.
• He faces charges under the 2020 National Security Law and a colonial-era sedition statute.
• Prosecutors accuse him of colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious material.
• Lai has been detained since 2020, already serving other sentences.
• No verdict date has been announced.

A Trial Without Jury

Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the defunct Apple Daily, concluded his closing defense after a trial lasting roughly 156 days. The case has drawn international attention for its scale and political sensitivity. Prosecutors claim Lai used his media platform and overseas connections to lobby foreign governments for sanctions against Hong Kong and Beijing. His defense countered that these actions represented political opinion and press freedom, not criminal conspiracy.

Watch now: Jimmy Lai Testifies In Hong Kong Trial That Could See Him Jailed For Life · News18

The trial has proceeded without a jury, replaced instead by three handpicked national security judges. This departure from Hong Kong’s common law tradition highlights systemic changes since Beijing imposed its sweeping security law in 2020. Supporters of Lai argue that the process illustrates political interference in the judiciary, while authorities maintain it demonstrates equal application of the law.

Health and Symbolism

Lai has been detained since late 2020 and has faced previous convictions linked to unauthorized assemblies and contractual fraud. His health, reportedly affected by heart concerns, has raised worries about the strain of prolonged incarceration. Despite this, Lai has maintained a calm and even cheerful courtroom demeanor, often smiling and gesturing to supporters. Observers interpret this as a symbolic stand for resilience amid tightening political constraints.

The trial also underscores the fate of Hong Kong’s once-vibrant media landscape. Apple Daily, forced to close in 2021 after authorities froze its assets, had been a major voice critical of Beijing. The case has become emblematic of broader restrictions on dissent, with rights groups describing it as a watershed moment for freedom of expression in the city.

International Repercussions

Foreign governments and international organizations have followed Lai’s trial closely. Advocacy groups have urged Britain to withdraw its judges from Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, arguing that their presence risks legitimizing politically driven prosecutions. Officials in Beijing and Hong Kong reject such criticisms, insisting the charges reflect legitimate national security concerns.

The eventual verdict will carry weight far beyond Lai’s personal circumstances. It may influence international investment sentiment, shape diplomatic relations, and set a precedent for the scope of permissible political expression under Hong Kong’s evolving legal system. With no verdict date set, anticipation continues to build as the city awaits a decision that could redefine the boundaries of its judicial independence.

Sources

Reuters
AP News
The Guardian
The Times