The Society of Editors has condemned the conviction of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai after he was found guilty of national security offences in Hong Kong.

The media tycoon and British citizen, founder of now defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested in August 2020 and charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security and one count of conspiracy to distribute seditious publications. His arrest and prosecution has been widely criticised with the Society previously calling for his release in what it described as a “politically-motivated prosecution”.

On 15 December, Lai was found guilty of all charges and will be sentenced at a later date. Six members of Apple Daily staff prosecuted alongside him are also awaiting sentences. 

Responding to the verdict, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors said: “The conviction of Jimmy Lai is appalling and casts a dark shadow over press freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. We call on all world leaders to stand up and condemn this prosecution and for Mr Lai, alongside his colleagues, to be immediately released.”

Lai, a laureate of the RSF Press Freedom Award, has been in prison since December 2020 amid reports that he has been subjected to solitary confinement and has suffered from deteriorating health.