Hong Kong’s High Court has sentenced media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, marking one of the most prominent prosecutions under the territory’s national security law.
The 78-year-old British citizen and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily was convicted of colluding with foreign powers and publishing seditious material. The case is widely viewed as a test of press freedom and political rights in Hong Kong.
Key developments:
• Lai was convicted in December 2025 on two foreign collusion charges and one sedition charge.
• The court described the offences as being of a “grave nature”.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the ruling “unjust”.
• UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the sentence as “tantamount to a life sentence”.
• Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the verdict demonstrated the rule of law.
Lai, detained since 2020, may appeal the ruling.
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