Trial began December 18, 2023. Support Jimmy Lai today.

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Timeline of Cases

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August 10, 2020

The Initial Arrest

Jimmy Lai is arrested under the National Security Law along with members of Apple Daily’s staff, and police raid their office on the orders of the National Security Department. After two days in detention, Jimmy Lai is released on bail.

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December 31, 2020

Bail is Revoked

Jimmy Lai’s bail is revoked, and he is returned to prison, where he remains.

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April 1, 2021

The Convictions

Jimmy Lai is convicted on the first of many charges brought against him for his peaceful pro-democracy campaigning, this time for taking part in a rally attended by one-quarter of Hong Kong’s population. He is sentenced to a year in prison.

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April 16, 2021

Assembly Sentencing

Jimmy Lai is sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison for two counts of unauthorized assembly.

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May 28, 2021

Public Procession Sentencing

Jimmy Lai is sentenced to another 14 months in prison, this time for organizing and taking part in a public procession.

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June 24, 2021

Apple Daily Closes

Unable to continue operating following the arrest of its senior staff and the freezing of its assets, Apple Daily is printed for the last time. Hong Kong’s only independent Chinese language newspaper has been destroyed.

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December 13, 2021

Vigil Sentencing

Jimmy Lai is sentenced to 13 months in prison for attending and lighting a candle at an annual vigil for the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

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December 10, 2022

Lease Violation Sentencing

Jimmy Lai is sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for an alleged lease violation in relation to a tiny portion of Apple Daily’s office space, the first time anything like this has been criminalized in the Hong Kong legal system, on charges condemned as spurious by the US State Department.

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December 18, 2023

The Trial Begins

Jimmy Lai’s trial under the National Security Law is due to start, where he is charged with offenses relating to his pro-democracy campaigning and publishing.

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#FreeJimmyLai

#FreeJimmyLai

#FreeJimmyLai