On February 9, 2026, a Hong Kong court handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Jimmy Lai, a vocal critic of the Chinese government. This sentencing marks a significant escalation in the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong under the national security law, which was enacted by Beijing after widespread protests in 2019.
Lai, now 78 years old, was convicted late last year of colluding with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious materials. His case is notable as it represents one of the most severe penalties applied since the law's implementation. Lai has spent more than five years in detention, previously serving time for other charges, including fraud related to his media company.
During the sentencing, Lai maintained his innocence, having consistently denied the allegations against him. The court described his actions as "serious and grave," asserting that he was involved in conspiracies posing the "most serious" threat to national security. Lai's legal representatives indicated plans to appeal the ruling.
Lai's family and supporters expressed profound concern over his health, fearing that the lengthy sentence could effectively serve as a death sentence due to his age and deteriorating condition. His son, Sebastien Lai, described the verdict as "heartbreaking," emphasizing the lack of justice in Hong Kong.
International reaction has been swift. The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, labeled the sentence as a severe infringement on freedom of expression and urged Lai's immediate release on humanitarian grounds. Rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned the ruling as draconian and indicative of diminishing press freedoms in what was once considered a bastion of journalism in Asia.
Many other former Apple Daily staff members and activists were also sentenced, demonstrating the broader implications of the national security law on dissent and civil liberties. The Hong Kong authorities defend their actions as necessary to maintain stability and national security in the region.
As the international community reacts, Lai's case symbolizes larger struggles for democracy and free expression not only in Hong Kong but also in broader contexts involving human rights and governmental control.