Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Receives Harsh 20-Year Sentence Under National Security Law
A court in Hong Kong has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, marking the end of the city's most high-profile national security trial and nearly five years of legal saga.
Lai, who turned 78 during his sentencing, was found guilty on two counts of foreign collusion and one count of seditious publication. The ruling has been described by press and rights groups as "cruel and profoundly unjust".
The sentence is within the most severe penalty range of 10 years to life imprisonment for offenses considered grave in nature. Lai's case is seen as a test of Beijing's national security law, which has come under international scrutiny for its implications on freedom of speech and the press.
While Lai denies all charges against him, calling himself a "political prisoner" facing persecution from Beijing, his family, lawyer, supporters, and former colleagues have warned that he could die in prison due to health conditions. The elderly man's age means he may spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Six former senior Apple Daily staffers, an activist, and a paralegal were also sentenced on Monday, with jail terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years. Lai's co-defendants include publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, executive editor-in-chief responsible for English news Fung Wai-kong, and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee.
The Committee to Protect Journalism described the ruling as "the final nail in the coffin for freedom of the press in Hong Kong", urging the international community to step up pressure to free Lai. Global leaders including US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also expressed concerns over Lai's case, labeling his 20-year sentence effectively a death sentence.
Human Rights Watch described the ruling as "both cruel and profoundly unjust", noting that Beijing has dismissed such criticism as attempts to smear Hong Kong's judicial system. The ruling comes amidst heightened restrictions on press freedom in Hong Kong, with at least 900 journalists losing their jobs since the enactment of the national security law four years ago.
Lai's daughter Claire expressed hope that authorities will reconsider releasing her father, citing their faith and a commitment to fight for his freedom until he is released.
A court in Hong Kong has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, marking the end of the city's most high-profile national security trial and nearly five years of legal saga.
Lai, who turned 78 during his sentencing, was found guilty on two counts of foreign collusion and one count of seditious publication. The ruling has been described by press and rights groups as "cruel and profoundly unjust".
The sentence is within the most severe penalty range of 10 years to life imprisonment for offenses considered grave in nature. Lai's case is seen as a test of Beijing's national security law, which has come under international scrutiny for its implications on freedom of speech and the press.
While Lai denies all charges against him, calling himself a "political prisoner" facing persecution from Beijing, his family, lawyer, supporters, and former colleagues have warned that he could die in prison due to health conditions. The elderly man's age means he may spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Six former senior Apple Daily staffers, an activist, and a paralegal were also sentenced on Monday, with jail terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years. Lai's co-defendants include publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, executive editor-in-chief responsible for English news Fung Wai-kong, and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee.
The Committee to Protect Journalism described the ruling as "the final nail in the coffin for freedom of the press in Hong Kong", urging the international community to step up pressure to free Lai. Global leaders including US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also expressed concerns over Lai's case, labeling his 20-year sentence effectively a death sentence.
Human Rights Watch described the ruling as "both cruel and profoundly unjust", noting that Beijing has dismissed such criticism as attempts to smear Hong Kong's judicial system. The ruling comes amidst heightened restrictions on press freedom in Hong Kong, with at least 900 journalists losing their jobs since the enactment of the national security law four years ago.
Lai's daughter Claire expressed hope that authorities will reconsider releasing her father, citing their faith and a commitment to fight for his freedom until he is released.
The whole thing just feels like a bad 80s action movie where the hero (Jimmy Lai) gets caught up in this crazy web of conspiracies and corrupt systems... and now he's stuck with a 20-year sentence 
. I mean, it's like, chill out Beijing, you don't have to lock him up for life just 'cause he spoke his mind about some shady stuff 
. And what really gets me is that this sentence sets such a bad precedent for press freedom in Hong Kong... I'm not saying Lai didn't do anything wrong, but come on, 20 years? That's like taking away someone's first right: the right to a decent night's sleep 
.
the fact that they're calling him a "political prisoner" is mind-blowing, it's like they're saying he's being persecuted for speaking out against Beijing. 
the international community needs to step up and put pressure on Hong Kong to release him ASAP! 
20 yrs? What's next?
20 yrs in prison is like sending someone to the darkest depths of internet without wifi 
just kidding but its super harsh. i feel for jimmy lai's family especially his daughter claire 
her dad turned 78 and now he might spend the rest of his life behind bars that's not cool at all 
. the whole thing is like a big mess 
and beijing needs to chill out on this national security law thing 
its suffocating hong kong's free press and it needs to stop 
at 78, i can only imagine how scared and helpless he must feel right now 
he's already been through so much with this national security law, and now his freedom is being taken away from him 
she's trying to stay strong for her dad, but i can imagine how tough it must be on her