Hong Kong: Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday to a total of 20 years in prison, bringing an end to a long legal battle that has drawn global attention and strong international criticism.
Lai, 78, the founder of the now closed pro democracy newspaper Apple Daily , was convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law. The court found him guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and of publishing seditious material.
Judges said Lai played a central role in actions they said threatened national security. The sentence falls among the harshest handed down since the law was introduced in 2020 following mass pro democracy protests in the city.
Lai has been in detention for several years and arrived at court amid concerns over his health. His supporters say the long sentence could be life threatening given his age and prison conditions.
The case has become a symbol of the shrinking space for free media and political dissent in **Hong Kong**. Apple Daily was once one of the city’s most influential newspapers but was forced to shut down after authorities froze its assets and arrested senior staff.
Governments in the United States and Britain condemned the verdict, calling it a serious blow to press freedom. Human rights groups also criticised the ruling, warning it would further silence independent voices in the city.
Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have defended the national security law, saying it is necessary to restore stability and does not target legitimate journalism.
Lai’s legal team is expected to explore appeal options, though observers say the chances of success remain uncertain under the current legal framework.
The sentence is likely to deepen international scrutiny of Hong Kong’s courts and raise fresh questions about the future of civil liberties and media freedom in the global financial hub.