Who is Jimmy Lai? Media Tycoon and ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ Facing Trial After 1,600 Days in Jail

Jimmy Lai, a well-known Hong Kong media tycoon and democracy advocate, has now spent more than 1,600 days in prison. At 77, he remains one of the most high-profile critics of Beijing. His trial, delayed for years, is expected to restart in Hong Kong this month.

From Factory Worker to Media Mogul

Lai was born in mainland China. At just 12, he fled to Hong Kong on a fishing boat. He worked as a child labourer in a garment factory before founding the Giordano fashion empire.

After the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, he became a strong supporter of democracy. In 1995, he founded the Apple Daily newspaper, a pro-democracy outlet that openly criticized Beijing. Ahead of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover, Lai became a full British citizen.

Why He Was Arrested

Lai was a key figure during the 2019 Hong Kong protests. His Apple Daily newspaper supported demonstrators and challenged government policies. In August 2020, police raided his offices, arresting Lai and his sons.

He was later charged under the National Security Law, introduced the same year. The accusations include:

• Collusion with foreign forces

• Conspiracy to print seditious publications

Prosecutors say he worked with Apple Daily executives to publish 161 articles that incited hatred against Hong Kong and Beijing. They claim he sought foreign sanctions on China. If convicted, Lai could face life in prison.

Life in Prison

Since his arrest, Lai has been held mostly in solitary confinement at a high-security prison. His son, Sebastien Lai, says his father has lost weight, suffers from diabetes, and has been denied independent medical care. He is only allowed out of his cell for less than an hour daily and has been blocked from receiving the Eucharist, despite being a devout Catholic.

The Hong Kong government insists he has been treated fairly.

The Trial So Far

Lai’s trial began in December 2023, nearly three years after his arrest. In late 2024, he testified for 52 days about his editorial control, ties with activists, and alleged meetings with US politicians.

Closing arguments were set for August 14, 2025, but a black rainstorm warning caused by a typhoon forced the court to delay proceedings.

Britain’s Response

Because Lai is a British citizen, the UK government has consistently raised concerns. Successive governments have said his detention breaches the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984, the treaty that guaranteed freedoms in Hong Kong.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called Lai’s release a “priority.” Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have also pressed Chinese officials on the case.

Earlier this year, Lai’s son delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street, urging the UK to secure his father’s release. He warned that his father may “die in jail” unless action is taken, calling the case a test of Britain’s resolve to defend its citizens.

Why It Matters

Jimmy Lai has become a symbol of resistance against Beijing’s tightening control over Hong Kong. His supporters call him the “world’s most famous prisoner of conscience.” The final stage of his trial will determine not just his fate, but also the future of free speech in Hong Kong.