Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai's mitigation hearing is set to begin ahead of sentencing for national security charges. Lai, a critic of the Chinese Communist Party and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, faces prosecution under a national security law enacted after 2019 protests. U.S. officials and UN experts have called for his release, with the U.S. Secretary of State stating the verdict silences freedom of speech. Lai has been held for over 1,800 days, with concerns raised about his health and the potential damage to Hong Kong's reputation if he dies in prison.