In Hong Kong, Tycoon Jimmy Lai was convicted of adultery, treason and foreign cooperation

Hong Kong's High Court on Monday found Jimmy Lai, a former media mogul and pro-democracy activist, guilty of sedition and collusion with foreign powers, in violation of a national security law imposed by Beijing.The Committee for the Protection of Journalists denounces a "farce sentence".

This is one of the most important decisions of the Court since Hong Kong was transferred to China in 1997. He faces prison.

Jimmy Lai was convicted by the Supreme Court of one count of sedition and two counts of foreign conspiracy.The latter two leaders are based on a national security law imposed by Beijing after massive, sometimes violent, pro-democracy demonstrations rocked Hong Kong in 2019.

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"There is no doubt that Jimmy Lai has harbored a grudge against the People's Republic of China for much of his adult life, and this is reflected in his writings," Judge Esther Zhu told the court.

Jimmy Lai, who remains defiant of the sentence, faces life in prison on the charge.The sentence will be revealed in the future.He can appeal.

161 On porn "tumors".

Jimmy Lai's case, seen by rights activists as a symbol of Hong Kong's erosion of political freedoms, has become a point of contention between Beijing and many Western countries.US President Donald Trump asked for his release during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October.

The founder of the newspaper that was now in the Apple daily, with a British passport, was arrested until 2020. At 78 years, his "request" according to the authorities.

He welcomed the people who came to support him, including his wife Teresa and son Lato."He is in a good mood," his lawyer Robert told reporters as he left the Court.

Consular officials, including those from the United States, the European Union and France, attended the trial.Veterans of Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp, including Cardinal Joseph Zen and former lawmaker Emily Lau, also sat in the audience.

Along with conspiracy charges, the former tycoon was charged with 161 counts of "inflammatory publications," including talk shows and editorials bearing his name on social networks.

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During his trial, which began in December 2023, Jimmy Lai pleaded not guilty and stated that he never advocated separatism or violent resistance.He denied calling for Western sanctions against China and Hong Kong.

"Appy's core principles are the core values ​​of the Hong Kong people every day, which include 'rule of law, freedom of religion', 'freedom of Christianity, freedom of assembly'."

"A shameful act of persecution"

Jimmy wants a "demractracy and democracy", a first person's first person's first person, to explain the day of harder.

Eric Lai, a researcher at Georgetown University's Asian Law Center, said: "It is unfortunate that the court mischaracterized Jimmy Lai's position toward the CCP as his position toward China or the Chinese people. According to him, the court's speech is "the CCP's propaganda way of trying to blur the distinction between the ruling party and the people it governs."

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said the "unlawful verdict" showed "an alarming damage to press freedom in the country," while the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described it as a "parody conviction" and a "shameful act of persecution."

"The UK condemns the political prosecution of Jamie Lai which led to today's conviction," according to a UK Foreign Office press release calling for Lai's release.

Authorities in the former British colony, now a special region of China, said the case was "handled only on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law."

Beijing "Hong Kong" has national security based on the National Security Law," foreign buyers spokesman Juakun said on Friday.

Throughout the process, Jimmy Lai answered questions about his political views, management style and foreign contacts.He called himself a "political prisoner" at least twice, receiving reprimands from the jurors.

The tycoon's son, a refugee in the United States, said last week he was concerned about his father's health.

The Hong Kong government emphasized that Jimmy Lai was subjected to the same detention conditions as "other detainees" and that he received "full and comprehensive" medical care.