Former Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai convicted in landmark national security trial

HONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court on Monday, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Three government-vetted judges found Lai, 78, guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Lai, 78, was arrested in August 2020 under a Beijing-imposed national security law that was implemented following massive anti-government protests in 2019. During his five years in custody, Lai has been sentenced for several lesser offenses, and appears to have grown more frail and thinner.

Lai’s trial, conducted without a jury, has been closely monitored by the U.S., Britain, the European Union and political observers as a barometer of media freedom and judicial independence in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Reading from an 855-page verdict, Judge Esther Toh said that the evidence showed Lai had extended “constant invitations” to the U.S. to help bring down the Chinese government and had spent years considering what leverage the U.S. could use.

“There is no doubt that the first defendant had harbored his resentment and hatred of the PRC for many of his adult years,” Toh said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China.

Toh added that the court was satisfied that Lai was the “mastermind” of the conspiracies and that the only reasonable inference from the evidence was that Lai’s intent was to seek the downfall of the ruling Communist Party even at the sacrifice of the people of China and Hong Kong.

Among the attendees were Lai’s wife and son, and Hong Kong’s Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen. Lai pressed his lips and nodded to his family before being escorted out of the courtroom by guards.

His verdict is also a test for Beijing’s diplomatic ties. 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, who is a British citizen.

The founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was convicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, in addition to one count of conspiracy to distribute seditious publications.

Under Hong Kong's sweeping national security law, the collusion charge could result in a sentence ranging from three years in jail to life imprisonment, depending on the offense's nature and his role in it. The sedition charge carries a maximum of two years’ imprisonment. A four-day mitigation hearing was set to begin Jan. 12 for Lai to argue for a shorter sentence.

The Apple Daily was a vocal critic of the Hong Kong government and the ruling Chinese Communist Party. It was forced to shut in 2021 after police raided its newsroom and arrested its senior journalists, with authorities freezing its assets.

During Lai’s 156-day trial, prosecutors accused him of conspiring with senior executives of Apple Daily and others to request foreign forces to impose sanctions or blockades and engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China.

The prosecution also accused Lai of making such requests, highlighting his meetings with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July 2019 at the height of the protests.

It also presented 161 publications, including Apple Daily articles, to the court as evidence of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, as well as social media posts and text messages.

Lai testified for 52 days in his own defense, arguing that he had not called for foreign sanctions after the sweeping security law was imposed in June 2020.

His legal team also argued for freedom of expression.

As the trial progressed, Lai’s health appeared to be deteriorating.

Lai’s lawyers in August told the court that he suffered from heart palpitations. His daughter Claire told The Associated Press that her father has become weaker and skinnier, and lost some of his nails and teeth. She also said he suffered from infections for months, along with constant back pain, diabetes, heart issues and high blood pressure.

“His spirit is strong but his body is failing,” she said.

Hong Kong’s government said no abnormalities were found during a medical examination that followed Lai's complaint of heart problems. It added this month that the medical services provided to him were “adequate and comprehensive.”

Before sunrise, dozens of residents queued outside the court building to secure a courtroom seat.

Former Apple Daily employee Tammy Cheung arrived at 5 a.m., saying she wanted to know about Lai's condition after reports of his health.

She said she felt the process was being rushed since the verdict date was announced only last Friday, but added, “I’m relieved that this case can at least conclude soon.”

Originally scheduled to start in December 2022, Lai’s trial was postponed to December 2023 as authorities blocked a British lawyer from representing him, citing national security risks.

In 2022, Lai was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison over separate fraud charges involving lease violations at Apple Daily’s headquarters. He was also previously sentenced for his roles in unauthorized assemblies in other cases related to the 2019 protests.

Associated Press writer Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

People wait to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of the verdict for Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai's national security trial, in Hong Kong, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People wait to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of the verdict for Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai's national security trial, in Hong Kong, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People wait to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of the verdict for Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai's national security trial, in Hong Kong, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

People wait to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of the verdict for Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai's national security trial, in Hong Kong, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

DENVER (AP) — Micah Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hadn't been confirmed by tests.

“I’m sickened,” Parsons told the AP in a text message.

Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1), who lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.

Parsons was steps away from another sack when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, grabbing at his left knee. And in that moment, the Packers lost more than a showdown with the Broncos.

Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: "It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that.”

It was the second significant injury for the Packers, who lost receiver Christian Watson to a chest injury after All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II fell on him following a third-quarter interception. LaFleur confirmed that Watson went to a hospital for tests.

“I told the guys, ‘Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,’” LaFleur said. “Everybody's going to have to elevate their play.”

Parsons blew past right tackle Mike McGlinchey and was chasing after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground. Parsons clutched his knee as trainers and teammates came over to check on him. Surtain walked onto the field and tapped Parsons on the shoulder pads before he left for the locker room.

“It's obviously tough," LaFleur said after the Packers' four-game win streak was halted. “We all know what type of player he is and the impact he's had on our football team. To lose somebody like that, it's tough. ... We've got to find a way. Guys have to rally around one another.”

Parsons was having a big game. He forced an early fumble and was credited with a pass breakup.

Parsons has 12 1/2 sacks this season after the Packers acquired him from Dallas in late August for two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark. The Packers gave Parsons a four-year, $188 million contract with $136 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

“Hurt to see,” defensive end Rashan Gary said. “Will be missed on this defense. You all know his impact.”

Gary had a chance to briefly speak with Parsons after the game.

“Told him to keep his head up and we're going to finish strong for him,” Gary said. “It hurt.”

Green Bay was clinging to a 23-21 lead when Parsons was hurt. Soon after, Nix connected with Troy Franklin for the go-ahead score as the Broncos ran their winning streak to 11 games.

Was it hard for the Packers to get back into it without No. 1 on the field?

“You see your star player like that go down ... trying to finish the game strong for him. Trying to finish the game strong for us,” Gary said. “The situation, when we go on the field, we've got to find a way to get off — period.”

The 26-year-old Watson was hurt in the third quarter when Surtain made a diving interception and landed on top of him. Watson missed the start of the season as he recovered from tearing his ACL in Green Bay’s 2024 regular-season finale. He returned on Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh.

“A double whammy for us, just losing some pieces that are critical for our success,” LaFleur said.

The Packers have to regroup in a hurry. They play at Chicago on Saturday.

“We’ll come up with a plan,” LaFleur said.

Maaddi reported from Tampa, Florida.

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Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos' Pat Surtain II intercepts a pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson is hurt after Denver Broncos' Pat Surtain II intercepts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)