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Hong Kong's pro-democracy erstwhile media tycoon Jimmy Lai volition beryllium sentenced Monday (February 9, 2026) pursuing his condemnation successful December nether a Beijing-imposed nationalist information law.
Mr. Lai, the 78-year-old laminitis of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, could look up to beingness successful situation successful the lawsuit that has stirred disapproval from immoderate overseas governments.
The judiciary said connected Friday (February 6) connected its website that it's calling for the sentencing league astatine 10 a.m. Monday (February 9).
Mr. Lai was an outspoken professional of China's ruling Communist Party and was arrested successful 2020 nether the nationalist information instrumentality that Beijing deemed indispensable for the city's stableness pursuing anti-government protests the erstwhile year.
His proceedings was wide seen arsenic an indicator of the diminution of property state successful the erstwhile British colony, which returned to Chinese regularisation successful 1997.
The sentencing could make tensions betwixt Beijing and overseas governments. Lai's condemnation already drew disapproval from the U.S. and Britain. After the December verdict, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had raised Lai's lawsuit with China, said helium felt “so bad.” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's medication has called for the merchandise of Lai, who is simply a British citizen.
Mr. Lai was recovered blameworthy of conspiring with others to collude with overseas forces and conspiracy to people seditious articles. He was accused of conspiring with elder executives of Apple Daily and others to inquire overseas forces to enforce sanctions oregon blockades oregon prosecute successful different hostile activities against Hong Kong oregon China.
Mr. Lai, alongside different co-defendants — six erstwhile Apple Daily journalists and 2 activists — are expected to instrumentality to tribunal Monday (February 9) to perceive astir their fate.
Their convictions nether the information instrumentality transportation a maximum punishment of beingness imprisonment.
Mr. Lai pleaded not blameworthy to each charges. His six erstwhile Apple Daily colleagues and the 2 activists each entered pleas, which could assistance them get reduced sentences.
Mr. Lai was convicted of respective lesser offences related to fraud allegations and his actions successful 2019. He is serving a astir six-year situation word for those offences.
