Overview
- Judges found Lai guilty on one count of sedition and two counts of collusion with foreign forces, offenses carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
- Prosecutors said he masterminded efforts to seek foreign sanctions or other hostile measures against Hong Kong and China and published material inciting disaffection.
- Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date, and the defense retains the right to appeal the verdict.
- Rights groups including Amnesty, RSF, CPJ and the IFJ condemned the ruling as a blow to press freedom, while Hong Kong and Chinese authorities said the case followed the law.
- President Donald Trump said he asked Xi Jinping to consider Lai’s release, Marco Rubio urged a humanitarian resolution, and Lai’s family voiced health concerns after years in isolation since 2020 as Apple Daily remains shuttered after a 2021 raid.