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Hong Kong Judges Review Mitigation Arguments, Near Sentencing for Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily Executives

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Mitigation hearings launched to set sentencing baseline A four‑day mitigation hearing began on Jan. 12, focusing on two activists and the broader group of six former Apple Daily executives who pleaded guilty to colluding with foreign forces. Defence lawyers urged starting points of about 10 years for one defendant and 10‑15 years for another, citing cooperation with authorities as grounds for reduction[2]. The hearings are expected to conclude later in the week, after which judges will determine actual penalties, which can reach life imprisonment[2].

Lai’s prior conviction contrasts with his current plea Jimmy Lai was found guilty in December of collusion and sedition, a verdict that carries a maximum life sentence[2]. In the current mitigation phase, Lai maintains a not‑guilty stance, while the six executives have admitted guilt and some even testified for the prosecution[1]. This discrepancy highlights the layered legal process: a previous conviction coexists with ongoing arguments over sentencing for the same charges[1][2].

Judges postpone sentencing date while weighing mitigation On Jan. 13, the three‑judge panel announced they would review the lawyers’ submissions before fixing a sentencing date, which was not disclosed at the close of proceedings[1]. They noted the statutory range of three years to life imprisonment for a collusion conviction and explained that timely pleas, cooperation, and individual roles could lower the band[1]. The deferment underscores the court’s intent to balance punitive goals with mitigating factors presented by defence counsel[1].

Public interest and health status factor into deliberations Dozens gathered before sunrise to secure seats in the public gallery, reflecting intense local attention to the case[2]. Prosecutors reported Lai’s health as stable, mentioning a modest weight loss over five years and a prior cardiac review that found no abnormalities[2]. These health details, along with the visible public support, are part of the broader context judges will consider when finalizing sentences[2].

Sources

Timeline

2014 – Jimmy Lai participates in Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, marking his early involvement in pro‑democracy activism that later shapes his media crusade. [9]

July 2019 – Lai meets former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss Hong Kong’s unrest, evidence later used by prosecutors to allege foreign‑collusion. [8]

June 2020 – Beijing imposes the National Security Law (NSL) on Hong Kong, criminalising “subversive” speech and providing the legal basis for Lai’s later arrest. [4]

Dec 31, 2020 – Lai is arrested under the NSL and placed in custody at Stanley Prison, beginning a five‑year detention without trial. [10]

June 2021 – Authorities raid Apple Daily and freeze its assets; the newspaper ceases publication, removing a major pro‑democracy voice from Hong Kong’s media landscape. [2][10]

2022 – Pro‑democracy activists Raphael Wong and Figo Chan visit Lai in prison; they note his dramatic weight loss, deepening Catholic faith, and daily prayers, underscoring the personal toll of solitary confinement. [2]

2023 – Lai’s high‑court trial begins, the first landmark NSL case to reach a verdict, setting a precedent for how the law is applied to political dissent. [9]

Dec 14, 2025 – The West Kowloon High Court announces it will deliver verdicts on Lai’s NSL case the next day, heightening international scrutiny. [10]

Dec 15, 2025 – A three‑judge panel convicts the 78‑year‑old media mogul of colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious material, opening the possibility of life imprisonment; Hong Kong chief executive John Lee says Lai “damaged the country’s interests,” while the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office calls the trial “politically motivated persecution.” [3][8]

Dec 15, 2025 – In a Washington interview, Lai’s daughter Claire says, “If he were freed, he would devote himself to family and faith,” emphasizing his desire to abandon politics and focus on his loved ones. [7]

Dec 20, 2025 – International outlets recap Lai’s conviction, noting his 2020 arrest, the 2021 Apple Daily shutdown, and the NSL’s near‑100 % conviction rate, framing the case as a watershed moment for press freedom in Hong Kong. [2]

Dec 31, 2025 – Claire Lai publicly warns that her father’s health is rapidly deteriorating, describing “purplish‑grey fingernails that fall off, rotting teeth, severe back and waist pain, diabetes and heart issues,” and the family sends a letter urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to press China for Lai’s release. [1]

Jan 12, 2026 – A four‑day mitigation hearing opens; defence lawyers argue for starting points of 10‑15 years for co‑defendants, citing cooperation, while prosecutors note Lai’s health is “stable” after a minor weight loss and a cleared heart‑palpitation review. [6]

Jan 13, 2026 – Judges hear sentencing arguments for Lai and six former Apple Daily executives; they defer setting a sentencing date, promising a later decision, and weigh the impact of guilty pleas that could reduce penalties under the NSL’s cooperation provisions. [5]

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