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Jimmy Lai guilty of national security offences in Hong Kong

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Jimmy Lai guilty of national security offences after a politically motivated trial in Hong Kong, UK government condemns verdict and calls for his release

Jimmy Lai guilty of national security offences: the verdict marks a new chapter in the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong following the imposition of China’s national security law. The pro-democracy activist and media tycoon was arrested in August 2020, months after Beijing introduced the legislation in response to mass anti-government protests.

The 78-year-old British citizen founded Apple Daily, the outspoken pro-democracy newspaper forced to shut down amid mounting legal pressure. Prosecutors charged Lai with two counts of collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, alongside a separate accusation of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. The court has now found him guilty on these charges.

The case against Jimmy Lai guilty of national security offences has drawn sharp criticism from international observers, who see the proceedings as emblematic of the erosion of press freedom in the former British colony. Since the national security law came into force, dozens of activists, journalists and opposition figures have been arrested or forced into exile.

London reacted strongly to the verdict. The UK government condemned what it described as a politically motivated trial, warning that the ruling undermines Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms. In a statement, the Foreign Office said it “condemns the politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai, which has led to today’s guilty verdict”, and called for his immediate release.

As Jimmy Lai guilty of national security offences becomes a symbol of the wider confrontation between Beijing and Western governments, the outcome of his case is likely to continue fuelling diplomatic tensions and debate over the future of civil liberties in Hong Kong.

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