A Hong Kong court on Monday sentenced pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison after convicting him of national security offences, a punishment rights groups immediately condemned as “effectively a death sentence” and a stark symbol of the city’s severely diminished press freedoms.
Lai, a 78-year-old British citizen and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty in December of urging foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and for publishing “seditious” articles in his newspaper. The sentence is the harshest ever imposed under the Beijing-imposed national security law, surpassing the previous record of 10 years given to legal scholar Benny Tai in 2024.
A summary document from the judges explained that they settled on 20 years’ imprisonment “after considering the serious and grave criminal conduct of Lai.” Two of those years will overlap with his existing prison term, meaning he will serve an additional 18 years, the judges wrote.
Lai sat impassively in the dock as the sentence was read out, according to an AFP journalist present in court. As he was led away, he waved solemnly to people in the public gallery, including his wife Teresa, former Hong Kong bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen, and former Apple Daily reporters.
His defence lawyer Robert Pang declined to comment on whether Lai would appeal, which can be lodged within the next 28 days. Asked if the sentence aligned with expectations, Pang told AFP: “In these times, I don’t know what to expect.”
Teresa Lai remained grim-faced during the hearing and made no comment as she left the court, but their children, who live abroad, condemned the sentence in a statement. “Sentencing my father to this draconian prison sentence is devastating for our family and life-threatening for my father,” Lai’s son Sebastien said. His daughter Claire called it “a heartbreakingly cruel sentence” given his declining health in prison, adding that if carried out, “he will die a martyr behind bars.”
Rights groups reacted with alarm. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: “The harsh 20-year sentence against 78-year-old Jimmy Lai is effectively a death sentence. A sentence of this magnitude is both cruel and profoundly unjust.”
Amnesty International described the case as “another grim milestone in Hong Kong’s transformation from a city governed by the rule of law to one ruled by fear.” Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said “today’s egregious decision is the final nail in the coffin for freedom of the press in Hong Kong.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously raised Lai’s case during his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing last month, while US President Donald Trump has also called for his release. Following the sentencing, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on Hong Kong to “end his appalling ordeal” and pledged to “rapidly engage further” with Beijing.
Taiwan said Lai’s sentencing created a “chilling effect” across borders and “tramples on freedom of speech.”
Beijing dismissed the criticism on Monday as smearing Hong Kong’s judicial system, calling the sentence “reasonable, legitimate and legal.” Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee lauded the lengthy prison term as “deeply gratifying.”
Dozens of former Apple Daily employees and others queued overnight outside the West Kowloon court for a spot in the public gallery, while journalists gathered at the entrance. The mood was tense as police deployed dozens of officers, an armoured car, and a bomb disposal van to the area.
“I think this is equivalent to sentencing Lai to life imprisonment,” Lam Ying-kit, a former history teacher in his 50s, told AFP.
Lai’s supporters, children, lawyers, and rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about his deteriorating health in prison. Prosecutors said he was kept in solitary confinement at his own request to avoid harassment, while authorities maintain he receives “adequate” care.
Lai has long been a thorn in Beijing’s side. He was prosecuted under the national security law imposed by China on Hong Kong in 2020 following huge pro-democracy protests. Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021 after police raids.
Eight other defendants, including six Apple Daily executives, were handed sentences of up to 10 years in jail. All had pleaded guilty.
Hong Kong authorities have arrested a total of 386 people for various national security crimes by the start of this month, with 176 of them convicted.
