Hong Kong prosecutors delivered closing arguments in the trial of Jimmy Lai, a 77-year-old Catholic media tycoon and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper
Newsroom (19/08/2025, Gaudium Press ) On August 18, 2025, Hong Kong prosecutors delivered their closing arguments in the high-profile trial of Jimmy Lai, a 77-year-old Catholic media tycoon and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper. Charged under Beijing’s 2020 national security law, Lai faces allegations of foreign collusion and seditious publication, accusations that could result in a life sentence. From a Catholic perspective, Lai’s case raises profound questions about religious liberty, freedom of the press, and the moral obligation to uphold truth in the face of authoritarian pressure.
Prosecutor Anthony Chau argued that Lai demonstrated “unwavering intent” to solicit foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China, citing his international connections and trips to the United States during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Chau highlighted a July 2019 meeting with then-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, claiming Lai advocated for sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials. “The court will remember that [Lai] himself did advocate and request for sanctions, which he said was against officials and not the state,” Chau stated, referencing Lai’s earlier testimony.
Lai, a devout Catholic who converted to the faith in 1997, has steadfastly denied calling for sanctions against China or Hong Kong as a whole, emphasizing that he never supported separatism. His defense has framed his actions as an exercise of free speech and journalistic integrity, values deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching, which emphasizes the dignity of the human person and the pursuit of the common good. The Catechism of the Catholic Church underscores the importance of truth in communication (CCC 2488-2492), and Lai’s supporters argue his work with Apple Daily sought to uphold this principle by reporting on Hong Kong’s eroding freedoms.
The trial, which began in December 2023, has been fraught with delays, including a recent postponement due to Lai’s health concerns. On August 15, Lai’s defense reported he suffered heart palpitations and an episode of near-collapse. Prosecutor Chau confirmed Lai was prescribed medication and fitted with a heart rate monitor, asserting he was “physically and mentally fit for court.” Judge Esther Toh corroborated this, citing a medical officer’s memo. Yet, Lai’s family and international rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly raised alarms about his deteriorating health, noting significant weight loss during his nearly five years in solitary confinement.
Lai’s case has drawn global attention, with Western leaders and human rights advocates calling for his release. U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed he raised Lai’s plight with Chinese President Xi Jinping, vowing to “do everything I can to save him.” The Hong Kong government rebuked such statements as “slanderous remarks by external forces,” reflecting the deepening tension between Beijing’s control and international calls for justice.
From a Catholic perspective, Lai’s ordeal echoes the trials of martyrs who faced persecution for their commitment to truth and justice. His reported calm demeanor in court—smiling and waving to supporters—recalls the courage of figures like St. Thomas More, who faced unjust prosecution with faith and resolve. The Church’s teaching on the preferential option for the poor and oppressed (CCC 2443-2449) compels Catholics to stand in solidarity with those, like Lai, who suffer for defending human dignity.
As the trial nears its conclusion, the charges of “seditious publication” related to 161 Apple Daily articles, including Lai’s own op-eds, underscore the broader assault on press freedom in Hong Kong. The closure of Apple Daily in 2021, under government pressure, marked a significant blow to the city’s once-vibrant media landscape. For Catholics, this raises ethical questions about the role of journalism in bearing witness to truth, especially in societies where such freedoms are curtailed.
Lai’s fate remains uncertain, but his case serves as a stark reminder of the cost of fidelity to conscience. As Pope Francis has often emphasized, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32), a principle Lai has embodied through his unwavering commitment to Hong Kong’s democratic ideals. Catholics worldwide are called to pray for Lai and others who face persecution, trusting that divine justice will ultimately prevail.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News
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