On 2 April 2026, Hong Kong Secretary for Justice filed application with Court of First Instance to confiscate properties linked to former media boss Jimmy Lai following his February 2026 conviction for two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces and conspiracy to print and distribute seditious articles, receiving 20-year sentence—longest national security term. The sixty-minute hearing is scheduled for 8 July 2026 before the High Court judge to handle confiscation order.
The government stated that judicial proceedings have been taken in accordance with National Security Law, citing the provision, that “any money or property gained from crimes under national security law, including financial aid, profits, rewards and any funds or tools used or meant to be used in committing the crime, shall be confiscated.” Application filed “in order to achieve important objectives of preventing and suppressing acts and activities endangering national security.” It is unclear what specific properties are targeted as Lai’s net worth was reportedly estimated at over HK$1 billion before 2020 arrest. Government spokesman stated that the confiscation order would “cut off funding chains” for national security offences, preventing convicted persons, accomplices or agents “from continuing to use their offence-related properties to engage in acts and activities endangering national security.”
This follows the government designating three Apple Daily-linked companies “prohibited organisations” and removing them from the corporate registry a on 24 March 2026, with police cordoning off the Apple Daily building in Tseung Kwan O day later. The High Court fined Apple Daily, Apple Daily Printing and AD Internet over HK$3 million each. The government described Lai as “mastermind and driving force” using Apple Daily platform and personal influence to delegitimise government institutions.