Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in prison over national security charges, including two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one of publishing seditious material.
The sentence concludes Hong Kong’s most high-profile national security trial, a legal saga spanning nearly five years. Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-closed Apple Daily, was first arrested in August 2020 and convicted last year. His 20-year term falls within the harshest penalty range of 10 years to life and is the most severe under the city’s national security law.
Judges said Lai was the «mastermind» behind persistent conspiracies involving foreign collusion, citing evidence of efforts to secure sanctions and blockades from the U.S. and other countries, involving staff, activists and foreigners. Six former Apple Daily staff, an activist and a paralegal were also jailed for six to 10 years.
Supporters and court scenes
Jimmy Lai arrived in a white jacket, hands folded in a praying gesture, smiling and waving to supporters. Dozens queued for days to attend the hearing as police deployed sniffer dogs and armoured vehicles. Supporters described him as the «conscience of Hong Kong».
Starmer reportedly raised Lai’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, and Donald Trump also discussed it with Xi. Western diplomats expect negotiations over his release could now begin.
Judges noted Lai’s age and medical conditions but largely rejected reductions, only cutting one month from the sedition sentence and one year each from the collusion charges. Lai’s lawyer said he has 28 days to decide whether to appeal.
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