Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying (黎智英; born December 8, 1948) is a Hong Kong entrepreneur and pro-democracy activist. He is the founder of Giordano, an Asian clothing retailer, and Next Digital, a media company that publishes Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper.

Lai was born in mainland China and smuggled himself to Hong Kong at the age of 12. He began working in a garment factory and eventually founded Giordano in 1981. He later sold his stake in Giordano to focus on media, establishing Next Digital in 1990.

Apple Daily, known for its critical coverage of the Chinese government and its support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, has faced increasing pressure from authorities. Lai has been a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party and has openly supported democratic reforms in Hong Kong.

In 2020, Lai was arrested under the National Security Law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong. He has since faced multiple charges, including collusion with foreign forces, and has been imprisoned. His assets and those of Next Digital have also been frozen. His case has drawn international attention, with many governments and human rights organizations condemning his prosecution and calling for his release.

Lai's supporters view him as a symbol of resistance against the erosion of Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy. His continued imprisonment is seen as a key indicator of the state of press freedom and human rights in the region.