{"id":3678,"date":"2025-12-15T01:33:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T01:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=3678"},"modified":"2025-12-15T01:33:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T01:33:02","slug":"jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-to-decide-on-national-security-charges-against-pro-democracy-figure-live-jimmy-lai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=3678","title":{"rendered":"Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live | Jimmy Lai"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;693bb8048f08bbb8e1a0f400&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Welcome to our live coverage of the final stages of the trial of &lt;strong&gt;Jimmy Lai&lt;\/strong&gt;, the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/hong-kong\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Hong Kong&lt;\/a&gt; media mogul and pro-democracy activist. Today, we are expecting a verdict on national security charges following a trial that has stretched for more than two years.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;f11f0223-fd88-4532-aa77-79e88ca7470f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The 78-year-old has been in jail since late 2020, on remand and serving several protest-related sentences totalling almost 10 years. He may face a life sentence if found guilty.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5d360d7f-5cc0-45e5-8dcd-81aef77b7f40&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Lai had been charged with one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion, charges brought under the city\u2019s &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2020\/jun\/30\/china-passes-controversial-hong-kong-national-security-law\\&quot;&gt;punitive national security law&lt;\/a&gt;, introduced in 2020, and a British colonial-era sedition law that has seen renewed use in recent years by authorities.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;82dded74-ba3e-4680-91d2-633d08f1362e&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Lai countered that he had never tried to influence other countries\u2019 foreign policies on Hong Kong and &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/china\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;China&lt;\/a&gt; through his overseas contacts.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2d036a84-bb0a-499f-b619-55083e41bd55&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He also distanced himself from violence and separatism, saying that Apple Daily represented Hongkongers\u2019 core values such as \u201crule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;6b618053-e1ce-4b65-b196-fe43c21bcd1b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;We will bring you today\u2019s developments as they happen.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;45ee1c0e-5cb9-4608-948f-57b1eb7555b4&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:false,&quot;summary&quot;:true},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1765758636000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;00.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1765761973000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;01.26\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1765758636000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;00.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;00.30&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Opening summary&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Mon 15 Dec 2025 01.26 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Mon 15 Dec 2025 00.30 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1765762382132}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"src-component-227617_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"src-component-227617\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"src-component-227617_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-693f44418f08b246d57a67d5\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Earlier this month <strong>Jimmy Lai<\/strong>\u2019s children voiced new alarm over the incarcerated tycoon\u2019s health, describing his dramatic weight loss, teeth rotting and nails falling off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/03\/jimmy-lai-health-concern-hong-kong-prison\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">The report <\/a>quoted them saying that Lai \u2013 was is 78 and has diabetes \u2013 had been kept in solitary confinement without air conditioning in a jail where summer temperatures rise to 44C (111F).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHe has lost a very significant amount of weight, visibly, and he is a lot weaker than he was before,\u201d said his daughter <strong>Claire Lai<\/strong>, who left <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/hong-kong\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Hong Kong<\/a> after seeing her father several months ago.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>His nails turn almost purple, grey and greenish before they fall off, and his teeth are getting rotten.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">You can read that story here:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"de95dcd2-c4d1-426a-af1e-7d3a10813d3a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:5,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Family alarmed over Jimmy Lai\u2019s deteriorating health as he languishes in solitary confinement in Hong Kong&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;de95dcd2-c4d1-426a-af1e-7d3a10813d3a&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/dec\/03\/jimmy-lai-health-concern-hong-kong-prison&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693f44418f08b246d57a67d5&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693f44418f08b246d57a67d5&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693f44418f08b246d57a67d5#block-693f44418f08b246d57a67d5\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-15T01:21:33.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Monday, 15 December 2025 at 01:21 Greenwich Mean Time\">01.21 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-693f5d6d8f08b246d57a6862\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Our correspondent <strong>Helen Davidson<\/strong> has posted video footage on Bluesky of scenes outside the West Kowloon law courts ahead of the verdicts being handed down on <strong>Jimmy Lai<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"00100d2c-7317-4171-8d21-c755ea28c68f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"UnsafeEmbedBlockComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;bluesky-embed\\&quot; data-bluesky-uri=\\&quot;at:\/\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3m7yfu3wnoc2j\\&quot; data-bluesky-cid=\\&quot;bafyreihg7kpbm3vh3vsbmv5wz2fyvbobjronle4tqnas6vdjf4od5h2rzq\\&quot; data-bluesky-embed-color-mode=\\&quot;system\\&quot;&gt;&lt;p lang=\\&quot;en\\&quot;&gt;I\u2019m in Hong Kong for the verdict in Jimmy Lai\u2019s national security trial. Dozens queued outside court overnight. Some passersby noted longrunning allegations that people are paid by pro-Beijing groups to reserve seats that might be taken by supporters. I tried asking but no one would speak.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp\/post\/3m7yfu3wnoc2j?ref_src=embed\\&quot;&gt;[image or embed]&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\u2014 Helen Davidson (&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp?ref_src=embed\\&quot;&gt;@heldavidson.bsky.social&lt;\/a&gt;) &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp\/post\/3m7yfu3wnoc2j?ref_src=embed\\&quot;&gt;15 December 2025 at 11:47&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&lt;script async src=\\&quot;https:\/\/embed.bsky.app\/static\/embed.js\\&quot; charset=\\&quot;utf-8\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\/script&gt;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Atom&quot;,&quot;index&quot;:1,&quot;isTracking&quot;:true,&quot;isMainMedia&quot;:false,&quot;sourceDomain&quot;:&quot;embed.bsky.app&quot;,&quot;isPinnedPost&quot;:false}\"><\/p>\n<div data-component=\"click-to-view:embed.bsky.app\" class=\"dcr-umpqcy\">\n<p>Allow content provided by a third party?<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-j4jr8l\">This article includes content hosted on<!-- --> <!-- -->embed.bsky.app<!-- -->. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as the provider may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content,<!-- --> <strong>click &#8216;Allow and continue&#8217;<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"f113fced-29e0-44cd-98c3-0f399dfc584a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"UnsafeEmbedBlockComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;bluesky-embed\\&quot; data-bluesky-uri=\\&quot;at:\/\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3m7yfynb44s2j\\&quot; data-bluesky-cid=\\&quot;bafyreifvhsocwfpvwc2ee72xqwzflmfhyyprfwczjl2ws3rgcsvfr2m2pm\\&quot; data-bluesky-embed-color-mode=\\&quot;system\\&quot;&gt;&lt;p lang=\\&quot;en\\&quot;&gt;They\u2019re still here this morning, along with a string police presence and a huge press pack&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp\/post\/3m7yfynb44s2j?ref_src=embed\\&quot;&gt;[image or embed]&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\u2014 Helen Davidson (&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp?ref_src=embed\\&quot;&gt;@heldavidson.bsky.social&lt;\/a&gt;) &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/did:plc:523nld6k5wpfimhyhqdqlecp\/post\/3m7yfynb44s2j?ref_src=embed\\&quot;&gt;15 December 2025 at 11:49&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&lt;script async src=\\&quot;https:\/\/embed.bsky.app\/static\/embed.js\\&quot; charset=\\&quot;utf-8\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\/script&gt;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Atom&quot;,&quot;index&quot;:2,&quot;isTracking&quot;:true,&quot;isMainMedia&quot;:false,&quot;sourceDomain&quot;:&quot;embed.bsky.app&quot;,&quot;isPinnedPost&quot;:false}\"><\/p>\n<div data-component=\"click-to-view:embed.bsky.app\" class=\"dcr-umpqcy\">\n<p>Allow content provided by a third party?<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-j4jr8l\">This article includes content hosted on<!-- --> <!-- -->embed.bsky.app<!-- -->. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as the provider may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content,<!-- --> <strong>click &#8216;Allow and continue&#8217;<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693f5d6d8f08b246d57a6862&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693f5d6d8f08b246d57a6862&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693f5d6d8f08b246d57a6862#block-693f5d6d8f08b246d57a6862\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-15T01:09:32.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Monday, 15 December 2025 at 01:09 Greenwich Mean Time\">01.09 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-693f586b8f08ff9b9e8572cf\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04\/Helen_Davidson.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d0832307c8bf23992d07028b3d2bce13\" alt=\"Helen Davidson\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Helen Davidson<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As has become usual with these national security cases, there is a large police presence outside the West Kowloon district court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It\u2019s about two hours from the verdict hearing beginning, and there are officers in plain clothes and uniform everywhere, as well as a massive press pack. Smaller than I have seen before, however, is the queue for the general public.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The day Lai gave testimony, and big days for other cases like that of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/hong-kong\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Hong Kong<\/a> 47, have drawn hundreds of people wanting to attend. But today there is perhaps fewer than 100. At least half of them were here last night, when I came by around 10pm.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"f7be014f-b70b-4705-954b-6a1731f25d99\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Police stand guard outside the West Kowloon courts on Monday ahead of the Jimmy Lai verdict.<\/span> Photograph: Leung Man Hei\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Some passers-by alleged those people were paid by pro-Beijing groups to sit in the queue and reserve seats that might otherwise be taken by supporters of the defendants, or foreign diplomatic observers. I tried to ask them why they were here, but they all refused to speak to me, and hid behind umbrellas or blankets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">One man, <strong>Simon<\/strong>, said he wanted to \u201cgive some support to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/jimmy-lai\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jimmy Lai<\/a> and his wife\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI believe this will be a bad result,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>They want to put him in prison.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Simon didn\u2019t stay overnight but was back again around 6am this morning. He and a friend are holding bright red apples, to represent the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper that Lai founded and which stands as his co-accused.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693f586b8f08ff9b9e8572cf&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693f586b8f08ff9b9e8572cf&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693f586b8f08ff9b9e8572cf#block-693f586b8f08ff9b9e8572cf\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-15T00:47:31.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Monday, 15 December 2025 at 00:47 Greenwich Mean Time\">00.47 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-693f55e98f08ff9b9e8572c7\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It\u2019s now 8.35am in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/hong-kong\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Hong Kong<\/a> and its high court is set to begin delivering its verdict on the national security charges against <strong>Jimmy Lai<\/strong> at 10am (2am GMT).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The three judges delivering the ruling are <strong>Esther Toh<\/strong>, <strong>Alex Lee<\/strong> and <strong>Susana D\u2019Almada Remedios<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If Lai is found guilty, the incarcerated media tycoon will probably be sentenced at a later date and can appeal against the verdict.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693f55e98f08ff9b9e8572c7&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693f55e98f08ff9b9e8572c7&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693f55e98f08ff9b9e8572c7#block-693f55e98f08ff9b9e8572c7\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-15T00:46:37.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Monday, 15 December 2025 at 00:46 Greenwich Mean Time\">00.46 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-693bb8048f08bbb8e1a0f400\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Opening summary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Welcome to our live coverage of the final stages of the trial of <strong>Jimmy Lai<\/strong>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/hong-kong\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Hong Kong<\/a> media mogul and pro-democracy activist. Today, we are expecting a verdict on national security charges following a trial that has stretched for more than two years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The 78-year-old has been in jail since late 2020, on remand and serving several protest-related sentences totalling almost 10 years. He may face a life sentence if found guilty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Lai had been charged with one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and two counts of conspiracy to foreign collusion, charges brought under the city\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2020\/jun\/30\/china-passes-controversial-hong-kong-national-security-law\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">punitive national security law<\/a>, introduced in 2020, and a British colonial-era sedition law that has seen renewed use in recent years by authorities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Lai countered that he had never tried to influence other countries\u2019 foreign policies on Hong Kong and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/china\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">China<\/a> through his overseas contacts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He also distanced himself from violence and separatism, saying that Apple Daily represented Hongkongers\u2019 core values such as \u201crule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We will bring you today\u2019s developments as they happen.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-693bb8048f08bbb8e1a0f400&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-693bb8048f08bbb8e1a0f400&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Jimmy Lai verdict: Hong Kong court to decide on national security charges against pro-democracy figure \u2013 live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-693bb8048f08bbb8e1a0f400#block-693bb8048f08bbb8e1a0f400\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2025-12-15T01:26:13.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Monday, 15 December 2025 at 01:26 Greenwich Mean Time\">01.26 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;world&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/jimmy-lai&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jimmy Lai&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/hong-kong&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Hong Kong&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/china&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;China&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;media\/press-freedom&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Press freedom&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world\/asia-pacific&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Asia Pacific&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;media\/media&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Media&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;media\/newspapers&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Newspapers&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by minute&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/adam-fulton&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Adam Fulton&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/09\/19\/Adam_Fulton.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=61c7406b302098b83a57060f5a514d26&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2025\/09\/19\/Adam_Fulton.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=21f944ba78a04ad2bf58806508112a40&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/helen-davidson&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Helen Davidson&quot;,&quot;twitterHandle&quot;:&quot;heldavidson&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04\/Helen_Davidson.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d4f7bf3431fdfea6b2f86ca3342aa44e&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04\/Helen_Davidson.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d0832307c8bf23992d07028b3d2bce13&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tracking\/commissioningdesk\/australia-foreign&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tracking&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Australia Foreign&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;contributionsServiceUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world\/live\/2025\/dec\/15\/jimmy-lai-verdict-hong-kong-court-national-security-charges-live&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;world\/jimmy-lai,world\/hong-kong,world\/china,media\/press-freedom,world\/asia-pacific,media\/media,media\/newspapers&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p>#Jimmy #Lai #verdict #Hong #Kong #court #decide #national #security #charges #prodemocracy #figure #live #Jimmy #Lai<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key events Show key events onl&hellip; 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