Hong Kong’s High Court is set to deliver a verdict next week in the high-profile national security trial of media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. The 156-day trial has drawn significant international attention, marking the most high-profile application of Beijing’s controversial national security law.

Trial Comes to an End After 156 Days

Jimmy Lai, 78, the founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, faces charges under Hong Kong’s national security law, which Beijing imposed following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The law criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, and critics argue it has been used to silence dissent.

Lai has pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and one count of sedition under a colonial-era law. Prosecutors accuse him of using his publication to conspire with foreign countries like the United States, Britain, and Japan to impose sanctions and other hostile actions against Hong Kong and China.

The media mogul is also accused of stoking hatred against Hong Kong and Beijing authorities by publishing over 150 critical op-eds in Apple Daily between April 2019 and June 2021. If convicted, Lai faces a potential life sentence in prison.

Conditions of Detention and Health Concerns

Lai has been in detention since December 2020, enduring more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement. His family has expressed growing concerns about his health, as he suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart palpitations, requiring medical treatment. In August 2025, his trial was temporarily postponed due to a medical issue related to his heart condition.

Despite these concerns, authorities insist that Lai is receiving proper medical care during his detention.

International Scrutiny and Political Implications

Lai’s trial has drawn widespread international condemnation, with human rights groups calling it politically motivated. Critics argue that the case is part of a broader crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests, which led to the introduction of the national security law.

The trial is considered the most significant case under this law, which critics say undermines Hong Kong’s judicial independence and freedom of expression. Since the law’s introduction, over 200 pro-democracy activists, politicians, and journalists have been arrested.

US and International Reactions

Jimmy Lai’s case has attracted considerable international attention, including from US President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for the media mogul. In August 2025, Trump pledged to “do everything I can to save him,” adding that Lai’s name had “already entered the circle of things that we’re talking about.”

Trump reportedly raised Lai’s case during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea in October. International advocacy groups have also urged for his release, calling for fair treatment under Hong Kong’s separate judicial system.

What’s Next for Lai and Hong Kong’s Legal System?

The final verdict in Jimmy Lai’s case is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2025. The outcome will likely have a profound impact on the future of Hong Kong’s legal system and its relationship with Beijing.

Lai’s supporters hope that his case will bring global attention to Hong Kong’s shrinking space for political freedom, while the Chinese and Hong Kong governments insist that Lai is receiving a fair trial.