Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to , to 20 years in prison, a punishment widely condemned by international observers as a devastating blow to press freedom and the rule of law in the city. The , conviction under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing has drawn criticism from the United Nations, the European Union, and several governments, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
The -year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper was found guilty on two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications. The sentence, the longest handed down under the national security law to date, surpasses the -year term given to activist Benny Tai in . Lai has been detained since , initially on fraud charges, and then following his arrest under the national security law.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Sebastian Lai, Jimmy Lai’s son, described the sentencing as “devastating” but not entirely unexpected, given the political context and the prolonged legal proceedings. He recounted a moment in court where his father smiled at the judges after the sentence was announced, interpreting it as a display of defiance and an assertion that his spirit remained unbroken despite his imprisonment. “They built up this whole show trial, had him in there for five years in solitary confinement this whole time,” Sebastian Lai said. “And so we expected a very strong, well, very heavy sentence, but it makes it no less devastating.”
The case against Lai centers on allegations that he conspired with others to call for international sanctions against China and Hong Kong, utilizing Apple Daily as a platform to advocate for such measures. According to the court’s findings, Lai actively sought foreign intervention in Hong Kong’s affairs, a charge he vehemently denied. Six former executives and editors of Apple Daily also received significant prison sentences, ranging from six years and nine months to years, after pleading guilty to similar charges. Three testified against Lai in exchange for reduced terms.
The imposition of the national security law in , following large-scale pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, has dramatically reshaped the city’s political landscape. Critics argue that the law has been used to suppress dissent, erode freedoms of speech and the press, and undermine the autonomy promised to Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” framework. The closure of Apple Daily in , following the arrest of its senior journalists, served as a stark warning to other media outlets in the city.
The international response to Lai’s sentencing has been swift and critical. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the sentence as “unjust and tragic,” while the European Union called for Lai’s “immediate and unconditional release.” The United Kingdom vowed to “rapidly engage further” on the case. However, Beijing has rejected these criticisms, asserting that the case is a matter of internal jurisdiction and accusing foreign governments of “maliciously smear[ing] Hong Kong.”
Sebastian Lai expressed deep concern for his father’s well-being, noting his age and the harsh conditions of his imprisonment. He revealed that his father has spent over days in solitary confinement. “This is very old for a man who’s been kept in a maximum-security prison. He’s been in solid confinement for the last five years. It’s almost a miracle that he’s still so strong in spirit and in faith,” he said. He also highlighted the personal cost of his father’s activism, explaining that he is now unable to return to Hong Kong for fear of persecution.
Lai’s case has become a symbol of the struggle for democracy and freedom of expression in Hong Kong. His supporters maintain that he is a political prisoner, targeted for his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government. Sebastian Lai stated his intention to continue campaigning for his father’s release and urged Ireland, along with other countries, to join the international chorus of condemnation and advocate for his freedom. He believes that international pressure is crucial to securing his father’s release and upholding the principles of human rights and the rule of law.
The sentencing of Jimmy Lai represents a significant escalation in the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong and raises serious questions about the future of media freedom and political autonomy in the city. The case is likely to further strain relations between China and Western governments, and will continue to draw international scrutiny as the situation unfolds.
