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Long-awaited verdicts in Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai\u2019s national security trial will be delivered on Monday, one of the city\u2019s most closely watched rulings since its return to Chinese rule in 1997.<\/p>\n
The Apple Daily founder has pleaded not guilty to two counts of \u201cconspiracy to foreign collusion\u201d under the security law, which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as one count of \u201cconspiracy to publish seditious publications\u201d.<\/p>\n
The case has grown into a wedge between Beijing and many western nations, with Donald Trump reportedly calling for Lai\u2019s release during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in October.<\/p>\n
On Monday, there was a large police presence \u2013 uniformed and in plain clothes \u2013 outside the West Kowloon district court, as well as a large media gathering. The queue for the public appeared smaller than on previous key moments, such as the day Lai gave testimony, and big days for other cases like that of the Hong Kong<\/a> 47, which drew hundreds of people.<\/p>\n Two supporters in the queue held bright red apples, to represent the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper which Lai founded and which stands as his co-accused.<\/p>\n Lai turned 78 last week and once described himself as a \u201cborn rebel\u201d. He loudly defied the Chinese Communist party for years, while amassing millions from his clothing and media empires.<\/p>\n