The city's pro-democracy campaigner and publishing magnate Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of colluding with external powers under the city's disputed national security law.
The 78-year-old man, who has been imprisoned since late 2020, had entered a plea of not guilty. He could receive life in prison and is expected to be sentenced in the coming months.
The tribunal determined that Lai utilized his now-closed Apple Daily newspaper as part of a wider effort to pressure foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.
The city's chief executive applauded the verdict, stating that Lai's actions "damaged the nation's well-being and the prosperity of Hong Kongers," while human rights organizations labeled it "a harsh judicial farce."
The Charges and Trial Proceedings
There is "no doubt" that Jimmy Lai "harboured hatred" for the People's Republic of China, the presiding judge said, citing his "repeated appeal to the US to help overthrow the government."
When Lai gave evidence previously, he rejected all charges against him, asserting he had "never" used his overseas connections to sway foreign policy on Hong Kong.
Lai, a UK citizen and one of the fiercest critics of the Chinese state, was a key figure in the pro-freedom demonstrations that swept through Hong Kong in 2019.
The NSL was enacted in response and gave authorities extensive authority to charge and jail people they considered a threat.
Monday's decision also convicted Lai of disseminating seditious material under a separate pre-existing statute.
Global Response and Judicial Concerns
"Mr Lai's spirit is okay," his lawyer said after the verdict. "The judgement is so lengthy that we'll need some time to review it first."
"The Chinese government targeted Jimmy Lai with the aim of muzzling all those who choose to criticise the CCP," said a rights organization's regional head.
Foreign administrations, such as the UK and US, have for years called for Lai's release, which Beijing and Hong Kong have rejected.
An Examination of Legal Autonomy
Lai's trial was widely seen as a challenge of judicial independence for Hong Kong's legal system, which have been alleged of toeing Beijing's line.
Critics highlight the hundreds of activists jailed under the NSL - and its nearly 100% success rate for prosecutors.
Bail is also often refused in NSL cases, notwithstanding concerns about deteriorating health raised by Lai's relatives and rights groups.
The Hong Kong government has also been faulted for preventing foreign lawyers from working on NSL cases without special approval.
From Tycoon to Campaigner
Lai, who fled to Hong Kong as a youth, got his footing as a businessman after creating an global apparel company.
His path as a pro-freedom campaigner started after the 1989 demonstrations in Beijing.
He started writing columns and went on to establish a series of widely-read pro-freedom outlets.
To this day, many Hong Kongers see him as a prominent figure for democracy, with dozens lining up to enter the court ahead of the decision.
In his testimony, Lai had said he "never allowed" his newspaper's staff to advocate for Hong Kong independence, which he described as a "conspiracy" and "unthinkable to think about."
"The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong," he had said, including the "rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech."
