Jimmy Lai Wins Fraud Appeal but Remains Jailed in HK Prison

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai has won an appeal against his fraud conviction, but he will remain in prison under a separate national security sentence.

On Thursday, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal overturned fraud convictions against the 78-year-old businessman and former executive Wong Wai-keung, who had been accused of breaching lease terms by subletting office space.

Lai had originally been sentenced to nearly six years in jail, while Wong received a 21-month term.

The fraud case focused on office space rented by Apple Daily, the pro-democracy tabloid founded by Lai in 1995.

• Jimmy Lai wins fraud appeal but remains jailed under national security sentence.
• Hong Kong's Court of Appeal overturns Lai's fraud conviction; he stays imprisoned.
• Despite appeal victory, Jimmy Lai remains in custody under Hong Kong's national security law

Prosecutors said Lai allowed a private consultancy linked to him to operate from the premises, violating lease conditions. Apple Daily shut down in 2021 after authorities arrested Lai and several senior staff under Hong Kong’s national security law.

Despite the appeal ruling, Lai will not be released. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed legislation. He has been in custody since 2020.

Lai’s daughter, Claire Lai, said the appeal decision does not change his situation, stating that he remains imprisoned and calling for international efforts to secure his release. Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, who leads Lai’s international legal team, said the ruling does not affect the national security conviction and raised concerns about his health in custody.

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The case has drawn criticism from the UK and US governments, which say the national security law has been used to silence activists. Beijing and Hong Kong officials say the law is needed to maintain stability and state that Lai is receiving appropriate medical care in prison, amid concerns over shrinking civil liberties in Hong Kong.