The Hong Kong High Court (China) has issued the final verdict in one of the most prominent trials since the National Security Law was applied in this special zone. Accordingly, Mr. Jimmy Lai, 78 years old, was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison.
In the verdict, the trial panel emphasized that after comprehensively considering the severity of the criminal act, the sentence of 20 years is an appropriate punishment.
Previously, in December 2025, the founder of Apple Daily newspaper was convicted of colluding with foreign powers to endanger national security and plotting to publish incitement materials.
Jimmy Lai has been detained for more than 5 years while serving a separate sentence for fraud. With new charges under the security law that Beijing issued after the 2019 upheavals, Jimmy Lai faced a maximum of life imprisonment.
This case has attracted special attention from international observers and has become the focus of diplomatic relations between the West and China. US President Donald Trump in December publicly expressed sympathy for Jimmy Lai and asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider releasing this person.
Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also raised the issue of Jimmy Lai during his visit to Beijing last month, affirming that he is still maintaining close contact with the defendant's family.
On the Hong Kong (China) government side, functional agencies rejected the view that the case was aimed at restricting freedom of the press.
The prosecution's argument is that Jimmy Lai used journalistic activities as a cover to carry out acts threatening the security of China and Hong Kong (China). The indictment clearly states that Jimmy Lai and his accomplices mobilized foreign governments to impose sanctions and carry out hostile actions against the government.
Jimmy Lai was one of the highest-ranking figures arrested under the National Security Act in August 2020. This event led to Apple Daily ceasing operations in June 2021, ending 26 years of existence and completely changing the media landscape in this special zone.
