Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai, best known as the founder of pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, has become a focal point of international concern as he contests charges under a Beijing-imposed national security law.
The 77-year-old has spent more than four years behind bars as his case made its way through the court.
Here are some key dates:
1995: launch of Apple Daily
Apple Daily was founded in the twilight years of British colonial rule over Hong Kong, with many residents anxious about China taking over in 1997.
The newspaper became a commercial success but also drew flak for its brash tabloid style.
April 2019: Lai opposes government bill
Hong Kong authorities proposed a bill that would allow some criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial, sparking furore from the city's pro-democracy camp.
Lai's comments blasting the bill were quoted in Apple Daily.
Prosecutors would cite this as Lai being part of a "conspiracy to publish seditious publications".
July 2019: Lai's Washington trip
As opposition to the government bill blossomed into citywide protests, Lai travelled to Washington to meet with Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, then US vice president and secretary of state.
Lai later made another US trip to meet then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Prosecutors alleged these moves were part of a conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to impose sanctions on China and Hong Kong.
May 2020: Lai braces for crackdown
As protests dwindled in 2020, Lai and Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp anticipated backlash in the form of a national security law.
Prosecutors said Lai redoubled his international lobbying efforts to deter Beijing, including calling on Hong Kongers to write letters seeking help from US President Donald Trump.
On June 30, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law (NSL) on Hong Kong.
August 2020: Police arrest Lai, raid newsroom
Lai and several others were arrested under the NSL on August 10, with hundreds of police officers raiding the Apple Daily newsroom.
While initially granted bail, Lai was taken back into custody on December 31, 2020 and has been behind bars ever since.
June 2021: Apple Daily shuts down
Aside from hitting Lai and multiple Apple Daily executives with NSL charges, Hong Kong authorities also froze the paper's assets.
As Apple Daily printed its final edition on June 24, staff and readers gathered outside the paper's headquarters for an emotional farewell.
December 2022: Beijing steps in
The government opposed Lai's choice of trial lawyer, British barrister Tim Owen, despite local courts siding with the media tycoon.
Upon the request of city leader John Lee, China's top legislature stepped in to overrule Hong Kong judges -- the most direct example so far of Beijing's influence over Lai's case.
December 2023: trial begins
Lai was charged with two counts of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" under the NSL and one count of "conspiracy to publish seditious publication" under a colonial-era law.
He pleaded not guilty.
The trial was heard by three judges selected from a pool of jurists hand-picked by Hong Kong's leader. There was no jury.
November 2024: Lai testifies
Lai testified for more than 50 days, often verbally sparring with the prosecution and judges.
"The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong," he told the court.
The tycoon maintained that he never supported violent protests.
August 2025: Closing arguments
Defence lawyers said Lai had experienced heart palpitations and at one point felt like he was "collapsing", following previous concerns over Lai's health by his family and rights groups.
Authorities said in response that Lai was receiving "adequate and comprehensive" medical care.
The 77-year-old has spent more than four years behind bars as his case made its way through the court.
Here are some key dates:
1995: launch of Apple Daily
Apple Daily was founded in the twilight years of British colonial rule over Hong Kong, with many residents anxious about China taking over in 1997.
The newspaper became a commercial success but also drew flak for its brash tabloid style.
April 2019: Lai opposes government bill
Hong Kong authorities proposed a bill that would allow some criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial, sparking furore from the city's pro-democracy camp.
Lai's comments blasting the bill were quoted in Apple Daily.
Prosecutors would cite this as Lai being part of a "conspiracy to publish seditious publications".
July 2019: Lai's Washington trip
As opposition to the government bill blossomed into citywide protests, Lai travelled to Washington to meet with Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo, then US vice president and secretary of state.
Lai later made another US trip to meet then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Prosecutors alleged these moves were part of a conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to impose sanctions on China and Hong Kong.
May 2020: Lai braces for crackdown
As protests dwindled in 2020, Lai and Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp anticipated backlash in the form of a national security law.
Prosecutors said Lai redoubled his international lobbying efforts to deter Beijing, including calling on Hong Kongers to write letters seeking help from US President Donald Trump.
On June 30, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law (NSL) on Hong Kong.
August 2020: Police arrest Lai, raid newsroom
Lai and several others were arrested under the NSL on August 10, with hundreds of police officers raiding the Apple Daily newsroom.
While initially granted bail, Lai was taken back into custody on December 31, 2020 and has been behind bars ever since.
June 2021: Apple Daily shuts down
Aside from hitting Lai and multiple Apple Daily executives with NSL charges, Hong Kong authorities also froze the paper's assets.
As Apple Daily printed its final edition on June 24, staff and readers gathered outside the paper's headquarters for an emotional farewell.
December 2022: Beijing steps in
The government opposed Lai's choice of trial lawyer, British barrister Tim Owen, despite local courts siding with the media tycoon.
Upon the request of city leader John Lee, China's top legislature stepped in to overrule Hong Kong judges -- the most direct example so far of Beijing's influence over Lai's case.
December 2023: trial begins
Lai was charged with two counts of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" under the NSL and one count of "conspiracy to publish seditious publication" under a colonial-era law.
He pleaded not guilty.
The trial was heard by three judges selected from a pool of jurists hand-picked by Hong Kong's leader. There was no jury.
November 2024: Lai testifies
Lai testified for more than 50 days, often verbally sparring with the prosecution and judges.
"The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong," he told the court.
The tycoon maintained that he never supported violent protests.
August 2025: Closing arguments
Defence lawyers said Lai had experienced heart palpitations and at one point felt like he was "collapsing", following previous concerns over Lai's health by his family and rights groups.
Authorities said in response that Lai was receiving "adequate and comprehensive" medical care.
You may also like
Celebs Go Dating's Anna Williamson 'emotional' as she reveals son underwent surgery
Man Utd legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer SACKED by Besiktas after eight months in charge
Andy Carroll and Lou Teasdale's romantic 'make or break' holiday after split
Vulnerable people at risk of homelessness as 1 in 10 specialist homes face closure
SC refuses to quash FIR but gives YouTuber relief
