Media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced for collusion with foreign forces and incitement to rebellion, in a trial seen as a symbol of repression in Hong Kong.

Jimmy Lai, an activist and media mogul from Hong Kong, has been convicted in a historic trial related to national security, drawing international attention to Beijing's repression. Arrested in 2020, Lai was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces and conspiracy for publishing inciting materials. The trial, deemed political, lasted 156 days and was criticized by Western governments and human rights groups. The judges highlighted Lai's interactions with American officials and stated that he used his publication, Apple Daily, to incite hatred against the Chinese government.

Lai, who risks life imprisonment, has denied the charges, but the judge concluded that his intent was to destabilize the Chinese government. His conviction is seen as a test of press freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, where dissent has been virtually banned. Additionally, the verdict came amid increasing restrictions on political opposition in the region.