Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai to Be Sentenced Monday Following National Security Conviction
Jimmy Lai, founder of shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, convicted of collusion with foreign forces and sedition; faces up to life imprisonment.
Former media tycoon and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai is set to be sentenced on Monday following his conviction under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law, a case that has drawn intense international scrutiny and renewed concerns over press freedom in the city.
Lai, 77, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty of national security-related charges after a high-profile trial that authorities say demonstrated the law’s necessity to restore stability. Prosecutors argued that Lai’s actions amounted to collusion with foreign forces and posed a threat to national security, allegations his supporters and international rights groups have strongly disputed.
The sentencing comes after years of legal battles for Lai, who has been detained since 2020 and faces multiple convictions related to public order and national security offences. If handed a lengthy sentence, it would effectively ensure that the once-influential publisher spends the remainder of his life behind bars, given his age and the cumulative penalties involved.
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Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 following months of pro-democracy protests, criminalising acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. Hong Kong and Chinese officials insist the law targets only a narrow group of offenders, while critics argue it has been used to silence dissent and dismantle independent media in the semi-autonomous city.
Apple Daily, long known for its outspoken criticism of Beijing, was forced to shut down in 2021 after police raids, asset freezes, and arrests of senior executives. Its closure marked a turning point for Hong Kong’s media landscape, with several outlets scaling back operations or adopting a more cautious editorial approach.
Lai’s sentencing is expected to trigger renewed reactions from Western governments and press freedom organisations, many of which have called for his immediate release. The case continues to be viewed as a litmus test for Hong Kong’s judicial independence and the future of civil liberties under the national security framework.
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