Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai is facing charges including “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.” The trial has been ongoing for more than a year and a half since it began in late 2023. Both the prosecution and defense concluded their arguments earlier this year. After a recess of about five months, the 147th day of hearings was originally scheduled for Thursday (14th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts (acting as the High Court) for closing arguments from both sides, but was postponed to Friday due to a Black Rainstorm Warning.

On Friday morning, more than 50 people queued outside the courthouse. One spectator said Lai had been in custody for over four years, expressed concern for his health, and hoped to be present in court to show support.

The defense applied for Lai to be excused from attending court during the closing arguments, revealing that he had been experiencing heart palpitations and that “there were several times when he felt he was about to break down.” The judges said they were concerned about Lai’s health, but noted that defendants generally must be present during trial. They added that if Lai was willing to wear a Holter monitor as instructed by a doctor, the court could make arrangements. The prosecution said the necessary medical device could only be arranged next week. The judges ultimately adjourned the trial until next Monday (18th).

Security Instructs Public Gallery to Avoid Comments, Personal Remarks, or Blessings

Before proceedings began, court security read out instructions in both Chinese and English, stating that the judges had ordered all members of the public to remain silent—whether or not the judges were present, and even during breaks. They were not to address either party in the case with opinions, personal remarks, or blessings. Anyone failing to comply would not be allowed into the courtroom.

National Security Department Senior Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah was also present in the public gallery. Jimmy Lai, escorted by three correctional officers, entered the dock wearing black-framed glasses and a hearing aid, a white windbreaker, and khaki trousers. He smiled, nodded, and waved to the public gallery, and greeted his wife and children.

Defense Applies for Lai to Be Absent During Closing Arguments

The case is being heard by High Court–designated national security judges Esther Toh Lye-ping, Susana Maria D’Almada Remedios, and Alex Lee Wan-tang. The prosecution is represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Anthony Chau Tin-hang and Senior Public Prosecutor Crystal Chan Wing-sum; Lai is represented by Senior Counsel Robert Pang Yiu-hung, barrister Steven Kwan Man-wai, and New Zealand King’s Counsel Marc Corlett, who is qualified to practise in Hong Kong.

At the start of the hearing, Justice Toh said that barrister Jon K.H. Wong, representing Apple Daily’s three related companies, had earlier applied to reopen the agreed facts. Neither side objected. Citing section 65C of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (“Proof by formal admission”), Wong confirmed that the three Apple Daily companies had no prior convictions.

After Wong finished, the court moved on to the defense’s earlier application for Lai to be excused from attending closing arguments. Toh said the court was concerned about Lai’s health, noting that according to court information, he had undergone a blood test on August 7 at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, with no abnormalities found, and had also undergone an electrocardiogram.

Toh added that the doctor had recommended Lai wear a Holter monitor and take medication, but Lai appeared to have refused. However, his lawyers later wrote that Lai had not realised he could wear a Holter monitor.

Defense: Lai Suffered Heart Palpitations, Felt on Verge of Collapse

Toh said the court was concerned about Lai’s health and would assist if he agreed to wear a Holter monitor. Pang suggested there may have been a communication misunderstanding, clarifying that Lai would take the medication and accept the Holter monitor.

Pang added that Lai had experienced heart palpitations and “some episodes where he felt that he was collapsing, that was palpitations, his heart.” Lai, Pang said, did not want his health to become the focus of attention during closing arguments.

Judges: Defendant Must Be Present During Trial

Toh said this was not over-concern: “Our job is to ensure the proceedings are conducted properly, and he should not worry about disrupting the process… as long as your client feels comfortable, that’s fine.” Judge D’Almada Remedios said defendants generally had to be present during trial.

Toh also noted that, according to correctional staff, Lai’s blood pressure and pulse were monitored daily. “I have to say our Correctional Services Department deserves some praise,” she remarked.

Prosecution: Holter Monitor Only Available Next Week

After a 20-minute adjournment, the prosecution said a Holter monitor could only be arranged for Lai next week. Toh suggested starting closing arguments on Monday (18th). Pang suggested that, since there was already a medical team in court to support Lai, the hearing could continue today. Toh reiterated the court’s concern for Lai’s health.

Justice Lee noted that ten days had been set aside for closing arguments (earlier reports said eight days), but as both sides had already submitted detailed written submissions, the oral arguments might not take as long and could finish before the scheduled end date. Toh adjourned the case until Monday.

Public Gallery: Concern for Lai’s Health, Desire to Witness Hearing in Person

By 7:30 a.m., more than 50 people were queuing outside the courthouse, including 101-year-old “Uncle Wong” and veteran activist “Female Long Hair” Lui Yuk-lin. A spectator named Anson, who arrived at around 5 a.m., said it had rained heavily earlier but, fortunately, they had shelter and did not get wet. He said he had recently noted international organisations expressing concern about Lai’s health, and that he “wanted to have a look at Jimmy Lai’s physical condition.”

Another spectator, Venus, said she came to court to witness the trial in person, describing the charges as “groundless” and expressing hope that the case could “come to an end” soon. “Because he’s really been locked up for far too long. It’s far too unfair to him—it’s already been more than four years.”

She said that each time she attended hearings, she noticed Lai’s condition seemed “weaker,” and she was therefore very worried about his health. She admitted she was “leaning toward pessimism” about the outcome, describing her mood as “hopeful within pessimism,” and said she would pray for Jimmy Lai:“I hope he can be released and reunited with his family.”

Police at one point set up barricades to designate a press area, requiring journalists to enter it in order to conduct interviews. In addition, more than 40 uniformed officers were stationed and patrolled outside the court. Police also set up a roadblock along a section of Tung Chau Street outside the courthouse to stop and search vehicles, with some required to open their trunks for inspection before being allowed to proceed.

Trial Began in 2023 – Lai Testified for 52 Days

The case began on December 18, 2023. On the 90th day of the trial, June 11, 2024, the prosecution completed its presentation of evidence, exceeding the originally scheduled 80 trial days. On July 25, the three judges ruled there was a prima facie case, adjourning proceedings to November 20, when Jimmy Lai took the stand. He completed his 52 days of testimony on March 6, 2025.The Witness had earlier compiled summaries of the prosecution’s three-day opening statement, key testimony from six prosecution witnesses, and highlights from Lai’s 52 days of testimony—divided into the Apple Daily editorial and reporting segment, the international connections segment, and court notes—for readers to revisit the trial’s key points.