Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy media figure, Jimmy Lai, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison under the city’s Beijing-imposed national security law, drawing sharp international condemnation and warnings that the punishment amounts to a life sentence.
The 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily was convicted of foreign collusion and sedition, the harshest penalty yet imposed under the law. Lai has been in detention since 2020. His family said the sentence is cruel and life-threatening given his age and deteriorating health, warning that he could die behind bars if the ruling stands.
Hong Kong leader John Lee defended the verdict, calling Lai’s actions “heinous” and saying the sentence upheld the rule of law. Beijing echoed that position, insisting the case was lawful and beyond dispute.
Western governments and rights groups reacted with alarm. Britain described the sentence as tantamount to a life term and urged Lai’s release on humanitarian grounds. The European Union said it deplored the ruling and called for an end to the prosecution of journalists. Australia and Taiwan warned the case would deepen the chilling effect on freedoms in Hong Kong and beyond.
Press freedom advocates said the verdict symbolized the collapse of independent journalism in the city. Human Rights Watch called the 20-year term “effectively a death sentence,” while legal scholars said the punishment appeared unusually severe and that an appeal should be considered.
