Press Freedom

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was convicted in a 156‑day national security trial held without a jury; Judge Esther Toh’s 855‑page verdict found him guilty on two "colluding with foreign forces" counts and one sedition count, citing meetings with U.S. officials and Apple Daily publications as evidence, and sentencing hearings to argue for reduced terms are set to begin Jan. 12. Lai, who has spent more than 1,800 days largely in solitary confinement and whose family and lawyers say his health has deteriorated, drew international criticism and calls for his release from U.S. and U.K. officials, while supporters warn appeals could take years.