Stephen Barrows Explains the Jimmy Lai Verdict

For this week’s episode of the Acton Line I spoke with Stephen Barrows, chief operations officer of the Acton Institute, about the recent conviction of entrepreneur and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty by a Hong Kong court on Monday in a landmark national security trial.

Jimmy Lai’s conviction is a travesty and a terrible act of injustice against a man of noble principles and deep faith.

Who is Jimmy Lai, and what is his long-standing relationship with Acton? What were the charges brought against him, and why are there reasons to doubt their fairness? How does Jimmy’s arrest, trial, and conviction show the erosion of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the rule of law in Hong Kong?

Watch and listen to learn of Jimmy’s powerful witness: