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A Defining Verdict Under Hong Kong’s Security Law

Hong Kong’s High Court has sentenced media entrepreneur and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, delivering the most severe punishment to date under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. The ruling marks a pivotal moment in the city’s legal and political evolution, underscoring how dramatically the environment for dissent and independent media has changed.

Lai, 78, has already spent more than five years in detention while serving a separate sentence related to fraud charges. The court said the length of the sentence reflected the “serious and grave” nature of the offenses and represented a holistic assessment of his conduct.

Convictions That Shaped the Outcome

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper was convicted in December on multiple counts, including collusion with foreign forces, endangering national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Prosecutors argued that Lai used his media platform to encourage foreign governments to impose sanctions and take hostile actions against Hong Kong and China.

Lai pleaded not guilty to all national security charges, maintaining that his actions fell within the bounds of free expression and journalism. The court rejected that defense, concluding that the activities went beyond reporting and amounted to coordinated political action.

Longest Sentence Since the Law Took Effect

The 20-year prison term surpasses all previous sentences handed down under the national security framework. It exceeds the 10-year sentence imposed on activist and former law professor Benny Tai in November 2024 for conspiring to subvert state power, which had previously been the longest such punishment.

Legal analysts say the length of Lai’s sentence sets a new benchmark that is likely to influence future prosecutions and sentencing decisions in national security cases.

The Fall of Apple Daily

Apple Daily, once one of Hong Kong’s most widely read and outspoken newspapers, ceased operations in June 2021 after authorities arrested several senior staff members and froze company assets. The shutdown ended a 26-year run and sent shockwaves through the city’s media industry.

The paper’s closure accelerated an already rapid contraction of independent journalism in Hong Kong, with multiple outlets either shutting down, restructuring, or adopting a more cautious editorial stance.

International Reaction and Diplomatic Pressure

Lai’s case has drawn sustained international criticism from human rights organizations and foreign governments. Human Rights Watch described the sentence as “cruel and profoundly unjust,” arguing that it reflects the erosion of civil liberties in the city.

The case has also become a recurring topic in diplomatic exchanges. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for Lai’s conviction late last year and said he had raised the issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though no new measures followed. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed Lai’s imprisonment during his recent visit to Beijing, reiterating calls for his release and confirming that British officials remain in contact with Lai’s family. Lai holds British citizenship.

Taiwan’s government also condemned the ruling, calling it harsh and accusing authorities of undermining freedom of speech and press accountability.

Authorities Defend the Prosecution

Hong Kong officials have consistently rejected claims that the case represents an attack on press freedom. Authorities argue that Lai’s prosecution was based on national security violations rather than journalistic activity, stating that media operations were used as a cover for actions that threatened stability.

Prosecutors alleged that Lai conspired with former Apple Daily employees and activists to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions and engage in actions hostile to Hong Kong.

A Symbol of a Changed City

Jimmy Lai was among the first high-profile figures arrested after the national security law took effect in August 2020, following the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019. His sentencing is widely viewed as symbolic of the shrinking space for political opposition and independent media in a city once regarded as Asia’s strongest bastion of press freedom.

As Lai begins what is likely to be the final chapter of his legal battle, the case stands as one of the most consequential in Hong Kong’s post-2020 era, with lasting implications for media, civil society, and the rule of law.

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