Final arguments have concluded in the national security trial of the pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. Government-picked judges are retiring to consider their verdict in the case, seen internationally as a crucial test of the rule of law in the city. Lai, 77, has been in prison since 2020, when he was charged with two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious material.
the closing arguments Thursday in the landmark national security trial of pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai. Lai, who was arrested in 2020, was charged with "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "seditious publication." He was detained under the Beijing-imposed national security law, one year after massive pro-democracy and anti-government protests swept Hong Kong. What do we know about Jimmy Lai's trial? The media tycoon founded the Apple Daily newspaper, which was one of the most critical news outlets of the government in the territory.