Critics charge that Lai's trial underscores the erosion of freedom in Hong Kong under the national security law, enacted in response to large-scale protests in 2019. Lai, who fled China as a teenager, built a media empire while advocating for democratic freedoms in the former British territory. Accusations against him include unauthorised assembly and fraud in addition to the more serious charge of collusion that has drawn international scrutiny, prompting calls from leaders such as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his release. Lai's son has repeatedly sought global support, emphasizing the toll that imprisonment has taken on his father, stating, "My father is in jail for the truth on his lips, courage in his heart, and freedom in his soul." As the trial progresses, the world watches closely, with many viewing it as a crucial test of Hong Kong’s commitment to freedom and the rule of law.

The proceedings reveal the rising stakes for dissenters in a legal system increasingly aligned with Beijing’s directives, raising alarms about the future of democratic expression in the city.