Jimmy Lai, the founder of Next Digital, along with three related companies of Apple Daily, has been convicted on two counts of "conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security" and one count of "conspiracy to publish seditious publications." Three companies of Apple Daily involved in the same case were also convicted of conspiracy to publish seditious publications and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.
Lai and eight other defendants who pleaded guilty in the case will be sentenced at 10 am next Monday (Feb. 9). According to the law, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.
LegCo Member Nixie Lam said on X that she is "looking forward to Monday's ruling in Jimmy Lai's case."
"It's gonna be a big moment as the first sentencing under the National Security Law for alleged collusion with foreign forces," Lam said, mentioning that Lai's actions have "stirred up a lot of chaos, and it's time for accountability."
"I hope the court sends a strong message that the rule of law in Hong Kong is serious and that anyone trying to disrupt our stability will face the consequences," she added.
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