17 February 2025

Lawyers in the United Kingdom representing Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai have become targets of a coordinated intimidation campaign.

The legal team from Doughty Street Chambers in London has faced threats ever since they began working on Lai’s case three years ago.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, who leads the team, has received numerous threats via email and social media, including threats of dismemberment, rape, and death.

The team has also been subjected to cyberattacks and physical surveillance.

Gallagher reports “hundreds” of attempts to hack her bank account and “privilege phishing” efforts aimed at stealing sensitive information.

Fake emails have been circulated in her name, including one falsely claiming she had resigned.

In 2023, Gallagher and Jennifer Robinson were followed at the United Nations office in Geneva, suggesting physical surveillance tactics.

The suspected Chinese state involvement has included denunciations in government statements and media.

Gallagher believes the coordination of these cyberattacks points to state involvement.

The online attacks have been reported to the Metropolitan Police, but tracing them has proven difficult due to their sophisticated nature.

Other members of the legal team, such as clerks and researchers, have also been targeted, with one person’s iPhone being cloned.

Due to growing concerns about transnational repression and the targeting of lawyers, the team decided to speak out.