Hong Kong national security judge Alex Lee promoted to the Court of Appeal

Lee, who first joined the judiciary in 2013, has overseen several high-profile cases and is among dozens of judges facing potential US sanctions

A Hong Kong judge who has overseen high-profile national security trials, including the collusion case of former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, has been promoted to the Court of Appeal.

A Judiciary statement on Thursday said the chief executive had accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission to appoint Court of First Instance judge Alex Lee Wan-tang to his new role, with his appointment taking effect on the day.

Handpicked by the city leader to adjudicate national security proceedings, Lee was among a three-judge panel that sentenced Lai to 20 years behind bars earlier this year for colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious articles.