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The city's pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been convicted of colluding with external powers under the territory's disputed NSL.

The 78-year-old man, who has been in jail since December 2020, had entered a plea of not guilty. He faces life in prison and is anticipated to be handed a sentence in the coming months.

The court determined that Lai used his now-closed Apple Daily newspaper as part of a wider effort to lobby overseas administrations to enact restrictive measures on Hong Kong and China.

Hong Kong's leader applauded the verdict, stating that Lai's actions "harmed the nation's interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers," while rights groups called it "a cruel judicial farce."

The Allegations and Court Case

There is "no doubt" that Jimmy Lai "held animosity" for the People's Republic of China, the judge said, citing his "constant invitation to the US to help bring down the government."

When Lai testified previously, he denied all accusations against him, asserting he had "not once" used his overseas connections to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong.

Lai, a British national and one of the most vocal critics of the Chinese state, was a key figure in the pro-freedom demonstrations that engulfed Hong Kong in 2019.

The national security law was introduced in reaction and gave authorities extensive authority to prosecute and imprison people they deemed a risk.

Monday's decision also convicted Lai of publishing inflammatory content under a separate colonial-era law.

Global Response and Judicial Concerns

"His spirit is okay," his lawyer said after the judgment. "The ruling is so long that we'll need some time to study it first."

"Authorities abused Jimmy Lai with the aim of silencing all those who dare to censure the CCP," said a rights organization's Asia Director.

Western governments, such as the UK and US, have for years called for Lai's release, which Chinese authorities and Hong Kong have dismissed.

An Examination of Legal Autonomy

Lai's trial was largely viewed as a test of court autonomy for Hong Kong's courts, which have been accused of following Beijing's line.

Critics point to the scores of activists jailed under the NSL - and its nearly 100% success rate for prosecutors.

Bail is also frequently refused in NSL cases, notwithstanding concerns about failing well-being raised by Lai's family and rights groups.

The Hong Kong government has also been criticised for barring foreign lawyers from working on NSL cases without prior permission.

From Tycoon to Campaigner

Lai, who fled to Hong Kong as a youth, got his footing as a businessman after creating an international clothing brand.

His path as a democracy activist started after the 1989 Tiananmen demonstrations in Beijing.

He started writing columns and went on to launch a series of popular pro-democracy publications.

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 verdict.

In his testimony, Lai had said he "did not permit" his newspaper's staff to advocate for Hong Kong independence, which he called a "plot" and "too crazy to think about."

"The fundamental principles of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong," he had said, listing the "rule of law, liberty, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech."