On Court of Appeal's judgment on Lai Chee-ying's fraud case
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A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said, "The indisputable fact is that, Lai Chee-ying has exploited valuable public resources of the HKSAR for over 20 years. In its judgment on Lai Chee-ying's fraud case, the Court of Appeal clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying's private company, Dico Consultants Limited (Dico), occupied and used the relevant premises in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, and that Apple Daily Printing Limited (ADPL) breached the terms of the leasing instruments. Both the Court of Appeal's judgment and the trial judge's reasons for verdict revealed that the relevant terms of the lease clearly stipulated that, unless approved by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), the premises may only be used for publishing and printing business and must not be occupied by any third party. However, for over a period of as long as 20 years, without the knowledge of the HKSTPC, ADPL had allowed Dico to occupy and use the premises to deal with Lai Chee-ying's and his family's affairs."
The spokesman stressed, "Although the Court of Appeal considered that, in the factual context of this case, the breach in question did not reach the criminal conviction threshold for the offence of 'fraud', the objective fact remains that Lai Chee-ying has exploited public resources for private use."
The spokesman pointed out, "The courts in Hong Kong have always been exercising judicial power independently, and all judgments handed down by the courts are open and transparent. The District Court conducted the trial impartially. While the defendants lodged an appeal in accordance with the law, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal with a detailed explanation on the reasons. Under the fair and impartial legal system of Hong Kong, both the trial court and the Court of Appeal handled the case openly and transparently.
"On the other hand, Lai Chee-ying is currently serving 20 years' imprisonment following his conviction and sentence on February 9, 2026, by the Court of First Instance of the High Court for three charges of offences endangering national security (namely one count of 'conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications' and two counts of 'conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security').
"Although the appeal in this fraud case has been allowed, it does not alter the fact or outcome that Lai Chee-ying has to serve 20 years' imprisonment for his offences endangering national security.
"The Department of Justice acts strictly in accordance with the Prosecution Code. Prosecution was instituted as the Department considered that there was sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction, and it was in the public interest to do so. The Department of Justice will study the Court of Appeal's judgment on this fraud case thoroughly in order to consider lodging an appeal."
Ends/Thursday, February 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:55
Issued at HKT 16:55
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