POLITICAL PRISONERS
JIMMY LAI
Hong Kong
Founder and publisher of Apple Daily
STATUS: On trial
Jimmy Lai is a 77-year-old British businessman and founder and publisher of Apple Daily, a Hong Kong newspaper that was forced to close in 2021 after the Chinese Communist Party's crackdown on pro-democracy protests in the city. A longtime critic of the party, Lai is one of the most high-profile pro-democracy campaigners to have been arrested in Hong Kong since 30 June 2020 when China's top legislature unanimously passed a new National Security Law for Hong Kong that entered into force the same day. The text of the law was kept secret from the public until after it was enacted. The law is vaguely defined but wide-ranging in scope, prohibiting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and "collusion with foreign and external forces". Virtually anything can be deemed a threat to "national security" under its provisions, and it can apply to anyone anywhere in the world. For those found guilty, it carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Lai was charged with violating the National Security Law in August 2020 and his trial began on 18 December 2023. He has since been convicted on separate charges of fraud and organising illegal protests.
WHAT IS INDEX DOING TO HELP?
In 2023, Index launched a campaign called A Postcard for Jimmy. We asked our subscribers and event attendees to write messages of support on postcards and we arranged for them to be sent to Jimmy. We have sent hundreds of postcards since the campaign began.
LATEST ON JIMMY LAI
-
Jimmy Lai’s “co-conspirators” speak out after being named in Hong Kong trial
Bill Browder and Benedict Rogers are among those singled out in the Hong Kong-British businessman’s trial on charges under the national security law
-
Argument for urgent intervention in Jimmy Lai case laid bare in new report
Pressure on UK government to intervene in Lai case highlighted in a new report, which exposes the destruction of media freedom in Hong Kong
-
Britain needs to do more to help Jimmy Lai
A panel convened in the House of Lords on Monday to highlight the plight of Hong Kong activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai
-
Postcard campaign provides comfort to Jimmy Lai in prison
US students are sending the imprisoned activist postcards in act of solidarity
Support us in our important work
Index relies entirely on the support of donors and readers to do its work.
Help us free jailed dissidents like Jimmy Lai, amplify silenced musicians and keep up the pressure on authoritarian governments.