Former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring with foreign powers and publishing seditious articles, reports Associated Press.
Lai, a staunch critic of Beijing and pro-democracy campaigner, was convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. Judge Esther Toh said 18 years of the sentence must be served in addition to his previous sentence of five years and nine months for fraud.
The 78-year-old Lai avoided life in prison, but given his age, the sentence could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life. He can appeal the case.
Lai founded the Apple Daily newspaper in 1995, which was known for critical reports against the authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing. The newspaper was forced to close in June 2021 following a police raid, prosecution and asset freeze.
During the 156-day trial, prosecutors accused Lai of conspiring with six former Apple Daily employees, two activists and others to ask foreign powers for sanctions against Hong Kong or China.
The judges concluded that Lai was the mastermind behind the conspiracies and never wavered in his intention to destabilize the Chinese Communist Party.
– We will never stop fighting until he is free, said Lai’s daughter Claire to the Associated Press.
Both the United States and Great Britain have criticized the sentence and demanded the release of Lai, who is a British citizen. President Donald Trump said he felt “so sorry” after the verdict and that he had spoken to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about Lai.
Lai’s defender Robert Pang had argued that the sentence had to be as mild as possible as a result of the 78-year-old’s failing health. He has indicated that his client suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, and that he has worsened while in custody.
date:2026-02-09 02:26:00