Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday, February 9th, 2026, under the city’s national security law, marking the longest sentence handed down under the legislation since its enactment in 2020. The sentence concludes a high-profile case that has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns about press freedom in the former British colony.
Lai, 78, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted on December 15th, 2025, on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious material. Judge Esther Toh ruled that Lai was the “mastermind and driving force” behind the alleged conspiracies, according to reports.
Alongside Lai, six former senior staff members of Apple Daily also received significant prison terms after pleading guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in 2022. Ryan Law, the former editor-in-chief, and Lam Man-chung, the former executive editor-in-chief, were each sentenced to 10 years. Fung Wai-kong, managing editor of the English edition, also received a 10-year sentence. Cheung Kim-hung, the former CEO, was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months, while Chan Pui-man, an associate publisher, received 7 years, and Yeung Ching-kee, a lead editorial writer, was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months.
The sentencing has prompted immediate calls for Lai’s release from international organizations and governments. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday called for Lai’s “immediate release,” stating the verdict violates international human rights law and criminalizes fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and media freedom. The UN Human Rights Office had reviewed the verdict and expressed concern that it relied heavily on conduct predating the implementation of the National Security Law.
Lai, a British citizen, has been a vocal critic of Beijing’s increasing control over Hong Kong for decades. Apple Daily, which ceased publication on June 24th, 2021, after a raid on its offices and the freezing of its assets, was a leading pro-democracy voice in the city, with a daily circulation of 86,000 at its peak. The newspaper’s closure and the subsequent prosecution of its staff are widely seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong following the imposition of the national security law.
Prior to his arrest in December 2020, Lai had been a prominent supporter of the pro-democracy movement. He and Apple Daily were frequent targets of criticism from Beijing and pro-government figures in Hong Kong. In April 2021, while in detention, Lai wrote that “a journalist’s responsibility [is] to uphold justice” and that “the era is falling apart before us, and it is time for us to stand tall.”
Lai’s health is reportedly deteriorating, with conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and cataracts. Concerns have also been raised about his treatment in detention, including prolonged periods of solitary confinement with limited access to daylight. His son, Sebastien Lai, described the sentence as “draconian” and “life-threatening,” while his daughter, Claire, called it “heartbreakingly cruel.”
The World Editors Forum and WAN-IFRA awarded Lai and the Apple Daily staff the Golden Pen of Freedom in 2021, recognizing the threats faced by journalists in Hong Kong. WAN-IFRA’s Executive Director for Media Freedom, Andrew Heslop, stated that the organization continues to stand with Lai and his colleagues, calling for their release. China currently holds the distinction of being the world’s worst jailer of journalists, with at least 51 currently imprisoned, including eight in Hong Kong.
Lai’s case is expected to be a topic of discussion during upcoming meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Lai’s supporters lobbying for the issue to be raised. Lai can appeal his case, but the lengthy sentence effectively means he is likely to remain in prison for the rest of his life.
