Hong Kong Court to Deliver Verdict in Jimmy Lai's National Security Trial

"...Lai, a rags-to-riches tycoon who formerly owned clothing chain Giordano, entered the media world after the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown...."

"...He described himself as driven by the belief that delivering information is equal to delivering freedom...."

"...His newspaper drew a strong following with tabloid-style coverage of politics and celebrities, as well as a strong pro-democracy stance...."

"...It often urged its readers to join protests...."

"...Lai took to the streets himself, too, including in the 2019 protests...."

"...Within a year, authorities used the same law to arrest senior executives of Apple Daily, raided its offices again and froze $2.3 million of its assets, effectively forcing the newspaper to shut down...."

"...The paper’s final edition sold out in hours, with readers scooping up all 1 million copies...."

"...Lai's 156-day trial is being closely watched by foreign governments and political observers as a test of the judicial independence and media freedom in the former British colony, which was promised it could maintain its Western-style civil liberties for ... ...."

"...Lai, a British citizen, has drawn concerns from foreign governments, including the U.S. and the U.K. — both have called for his release...."

"...U.S. President Donald Trump said he has raised the case with China, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his government has made it a priority to secure the release of Lai...."

"...But Beijing has called Lai “an agent and pawn of anti-China foreign forces,” describing him as the main planner behind disruptive activities in the city...."

"...In August, Pang said Lai had experienced heart palpitations and was given a heart monitor...."

"...His children raised concerns over his deteriorating health...."

"...The government said a medical examination of Lai found no abnormalities following his heart problems and that the medical care he received in custody was adequate...."

"...The security law authorizes a range of sentences depending on the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s role in it, from three years for the less serious to 10 years to life for people convicted of “grave” offenses...."

"...If Lai is convicted, sentencing is expected on a later day...."

"...He can appeal the outcome...."