Hong Kong Court Overturns Jimmy Lai's Fraud Conviction
In a rare legal victory for Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, an appellate court has overturned the 2022 fraud conviction of media tycoon and activist Jimmy Lai. The court quashed the conviction related to a lease violation at the headquarters of his now-defunct newspaper, Apple Daily, ruling that the infraction did not meet the criminal threshold for fraud. Lai and an Apple Daily executive had been accused of unlawfully subletting space in a government-owned building. Despite this ruling, the 78-year-old Lai will remain in prison. Weeks prior to this appeal, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted on charges brought under China's national security law. This separate case is part of a series of legal battles faced by the outspoken critic of Beijing's government. The Hong Kong justice department has stated it is considering appealing the court's decision to overturn the fraud conviction. This development marks a partial win for Lai, but his overall situation remains unchanged as he faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars on the more severe national security charges.
Prefer swipe-first reading?
Install the app to keep reading with faster loads and a smoother mobile experience.
Sources
Fraud conviction overturned for Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai, ex-media mogul and democracy activist - CBS News
A Hong Kong appellate court on Thursday quashed onetime media magnate Jimmy Lai's fraud convictions linked to lease violations, in a rare victory in the prominent activist's legal battles.
Hong Kong’s justice department will consider an appeal after a court overturned pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s fraud conviction relating to an alleged lease violation at the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper headquarters.
Pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai ... after a conviction under China's National Security Law ... Hong Kong democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai scored a legal victory Thursday when an appeals court in the Chinese Special Administrative Region overturned one of several ...
Hong Kong appeals court overturns Jimmy Lai’s fraud conviction | Freedom of the Press News | Al Jazeera
Surprise ruling comes weeks after the media mogul was convicted and jailed for 20 years on national security charges. ... Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai attends a rally near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014 [File: Alex Ogle/AFP] ... A Hong Kong appellate court has overturned ...
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, then owner of the Hong Kong and Taiwan newspaper Apple Daily, attends the Seminar on Tenth Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover organized by Democratic Party in Hong Kong, June 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) Read More · A Hong Kong court quashes fraud conviction ...
The government's fraud case centered ... Daily news operation, accusing him and Apple executive Wong of subletting space to another of Lai's companies, Dico Consultants Limited, without permission and in breach of Apple's contract at the government-owned industrial park. ... The appeal court judges ruled that the infraction did not reach the criminal threshold for fraud, and overturned Lai and Wong's convictions...
Jimmy Lai’s fraud conviction overturned by Hong Kong court in rare legal win for activist | Jimmy Lai | The Guardian
Jimmy Lai in 2020. The Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon on Thursday won an appeal over a 2022 fraud conviction. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters ... Appellate court quashes convictions linked to lease violations but Lai may still spend rest of his life in prison ... A Hong Kong appellate court on Thursday overturned ...
Hong Kong court quashes fraud conviction of Niagara, Ont.'s, Jimmy Lai, ex-media mogul | CBC News
CBC's Journalistic Standards and ... a news tip·Report error ... Jimmy Lai's niece in Niagara Region says it's 'a sad day for Hong Kong' after he gets 20-year prison term · Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison over Hong Kong national security case · Former IWK CEO released from jail pending appeal of fraud conviction · China overturns death sentence ...
Ex-media tycoon Jimmy Lai wins appeal as Hong Kong court quashes sentence in 2022 fraud case
Hong Kong: A Hong Kong court has overturned former media mogul Jimmy Lai’s conviction in a fraud case, in a rare win for the pro-democracy advocate serving a 20-year sentence for national security charges. The city’s Court of Appeal on Thursday quashed the prison term of five years and nine months for the separate 2022 fraud case. The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper ...
Fact Checks
Related news
Brazilian Court Blocks Bolsonaro from Visiting Sons on Father's Day
Brazil's top court has issued a ban preventing former president Jair Bolsonaro from visiting his sons on Father's Day this Sunday. The decision enforces stricter visitation guidelines following recent legal disputes. The restrictions come after the Supreme Court ruled that the family had breached terms, with some reports noting previous actions, such as Flavio Bolsonaro reading letters online despite social media bans. Some court rulings have extended these blocks for longer periods.
IS-linked Militants Attack Congo Village; UN Imposes Sanctions on Armed Groups
An attack by militants affiliated with Islamic State-linked groups has reportedly killed at least 13 people in a village located in eastern Congo, near the border with Uganda. The region continues to face severe instability. Beyond these attacks, suspected fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have been active, and the UN Security Council recently imposed sanctions on leaders of various armed groups operating throughout eastern DRC.
Lionel Messi's Father and Agent, Jorge Messi, Dies at Age 68
Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi, died at the age of 68. Reports indicate he had been battling a long-term illness. Messi's father was instrumental in his son's career, having accompanied him to Europe when he signed with Barcelona as a teenager. He was widely recognized for his dedication and presence supporting Lionel throughout his professional life.
Solar eclipse to occur next week. Here is what to know (10 sources)
Solar eclipse to occur next week. Here is what to know (10 sources) This story has been covered by multiple news sources, providing comprehensive coverage from different perspectives. **www.npr.org** reports: Solar eclipse to occur next week. Here is what to know Solar eclipse to occur next week. Here is what to know : NPRBack ButtonSearch IconFilter Icon ### [Space](https://www.npr.org/sections/space/) Solar eclipse to occur next week. Here is what to know ====================================================== August 8, 20268:56 PM ET By [Chandelis Duster](https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-23120/chandelis-duster) 
Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong Leads Wisconsin Governor Race Amid Scrutiny
Francesca Hong has emerged as a front-runner in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, potentially making history as the state's first socialist governor. Her strong polling numbers position her as a significant figure in this critical battleground state. The campaign faces intense scrutiny regarding its democratic socialist platform and policy shifts, including evolving views on defunding police. Meanwhile, national Democratic figures have expressed skepticism about Hong’s electability, while others suggest alternative candidates may benefit from the primary outcome.
Three inmates killed in recent separate prison clashes across Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka reported that three inmates were killed and more than twenty people were injured during two separate, deadly prison clashes. The unrest has prompted the deployment of military troops to major correctional facilities, including Welikada and Magazine Prisons. Officials attribute the growing instability to severe overcrowding within the country's jail system, which is reportedly operating at capacity.
Take Yomuyo with you
Download the mobile app for personalized headlines and quick access to breaking stories.