Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong tycoon wins appeal against fraud conviction
BBC World
February 26, 2026
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Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy figure, has won an appeal against his 2022 fraud conviction, which had led to a nearly six-year prison sentence. However, the 78-year-old remains detained due to a separate national security case, where he was sentenced to 20 years for allegedly colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong's national security law. Lai, who is also a British citizen, has been held since 2020 and faces ongoing concerns about his deteriorating health while in custody.
Lai's legal battle has drawn significant attention due to its implications for Hong Kong's rule of law and civil liberties. His daughter, Claire Lai, described the recent court ruling as a "PR move" by Hong Kong authorities, arguing that her father remains unjustly imprisoned. Legal experts have echoed these concerns, highlighting the broader context of shrinking freedoms in Hong Kong since the implementation of Beijing-backed laws, particularly the national security law.
Lai's case is deeply intertwined with his role as founder of Apple Daily, a once-prominent pro-democracy newspaper that was shut down in 2021 after Lai and other key figures were arrested. Prosecutors had argued that he violated lease terms by allowing his consultancy firm to operate within office space rented by Apple Daily. The trial has been widely seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, with critics arguing that Lai's detention serves as a cautionary tale for activists and journalists.
The international community has also weighed in, with the UK and US governments expressing concerns about the use of the national security law to silence activists. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have defended the law as essential for maintaining stability in Hong Kong. Despite these
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026