Ex-media boss Jimmy Lai wins appeal over fraud conviction
South China Morning Post
by Connor MycroftFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A Hong Kong appellate court has overturned the fraud conviction of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the former editor-in-chief of Apple Daily and ex-media tycoon. The Court of Appeal ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that Lai and another executive at Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily, had committed actus reus—the criminal act required for a fraud conviction—by operating a consultancy office linked to the defunct newspaper. This decision marks a significant legal victory for Lai, who had been sentenced to imprisonment over the charges tied to his media empire.
The case centered on allegations that Lai and co-defendant Mark Simon manipulated funds from Next Digital to finance their consultancy business, which was purportedly separate from Apple Daily’s operations. The prosecution argued that this constituted fraud, but the appellate court found insufficient evidence to prove that a false representation had been made or that the defendants intended to deceive. The court emphasized that the prosecution’s case lacked clarity and consistency, leading to its dismissal of the charges.
The ruling has significant implications for press freedom in Hong Kong, where Lai was a prominent figure known for his critical reporting on the Chinese government and the Communist Party. His conviction had drawn widespread attention and criticism from free speech advocates, who viewed it as part of a broader crackdown on media independence in the region. The appellate court’s decision has rekindled debates about the balance between legal accountability and press freedom, particularly in Hong Kong,
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/26/2026