A Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy tycoon and media publisher Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of national security offences, marking the toughest punishment handed down since the controversial law was imposed.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, is being described as the harshest sentence so far under the national security legislation introduced by Beijing, which Chinese authorities insist is vital to maintaining order and stability in the semi-autonomous city.
Lai, a British passport holder and outspoken critic of the Chinese government, rose to prominence as the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. For years, the publication served as a rallying point for Hong Kong’s democracy movement and a persistent challenge to Beijing’s authority.
Alongside Lai, six former senior executives of Apple Daily were also sentenced, receiving prison terms ranging from six years and nine months to 10 years for their roles in the paper’s operations.
Supporters of the democracy movement have long viewed Lai as a symbol of resistance and free expression, while Beijing and its allies regard him as a destabilising figure who used media influence to undermine state authority.
Throughout the trial, Lai maintained his innocence, rejecting the charges and insisting that his actions were rooted in his belief in Hong Kong’s core values, including the rule of law, civil liberties and freedom of speech.
The sentencing has reignited international concern over the impact of the national security law on press freedom and political dissent in Hong Kong, even as Chinese officials continue to defend the legislation as necessary to protect national interests.
