Pro-democracy activist and former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison, the harshest punishment imposed so far under the Beijing-enforced national security law that has largely crushed dissent in the city.
Lai, 78, a vocal critic of China and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty in December of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and plotting to publish seditious material—offences that carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Six former Apple Daily employees and two activists convicted in the same case received prison terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years on charges linked to foreign collusion.
Lai smiled and waved at supporters as he entered court for sentencing, but his expression turned solemn before leaving the courtroom as some spectators wept. Asked whether an appeal would be filed, his lawyer Robert Pang declined to comment.
The case has drawn international concern, with critics warning it signals a severe erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong, once regarded as a regional hub of media independence. Authorities, however, insist the prosecution is unrelated to journalism, arguing the defendants abused media platforms to undermine China and Hong Kong.
Lai was among the first high-profile figures detained after the security law was enacted in 2020. Within a year, senior editors at Apple Daily were arrested and the newspaper ceased operations in June 2021.
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The sentencing is expected to further strain China’s relations with Western governments. U.S. President Donald Trump said he felt “so badly” about the verdict and confirmed he had raised Lai’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging consideration of his release. Britain and Australia also expressed deep concern, with UK officials calling the prosecution politically driven.
In a family statement, Lai’s son Sebastien described the sentence as “draconian” and life-threatening, while his sister Claire said it was “heartbreakingly cruel,” warning her brother could die in prison.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee defended the ruling, saying the sentence demonstrated the rule of law and reflected the seriousness of Lai’s crimes.
Judges described Lai as the central figure behind the conspiracies, increasing his sentence on that basis. However, they reduced it slightly after considering his age, health issues and the hardship of solitary confinement. The court ruled that 18 years of the sentence would run consecutively with a separate five-year-and-nine-month prison term Lai is already serving for fraud.
Legal experts said the case sets a troubling precedent, particularly for journalists and academics, due to the broad interpretation of “sedition” and “collusion with foreign forces.”
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Lai has been in custody for more than five years and suffers from several health conditions, including heart problems and diabetes, though authorities say his condition remains stable.
Several co-defendants received reduced sentences after pleading guilty and assisting prosecutors. Judges noted their testimony played a significant role in securing Lai’s conviction.
Dozens of people queued outside the court before dawn to attend the hearing, including former Apple Daily staff member Tammy Cheung, who said the sentencing marked the end of a painful chapter.
Founded in 1995, Apple Daily was shut down in 2021, an event widely seen as a major blow to Hong Kong’s media sector. The city now ranks 140th out of 180 territories in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, down sharply from 18th place in 2002.
Police officials welcomed the sentence, while human rights groups condemned it as cruel and unjust. The Hong Kong government said assets linked to Lai’s crimes would be confiscated.