China critic Jimmy Lai, the 78 year old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and conspiring to publish seditious articles.
Three government-vetted judges described Lai as "no doubt the mastermind" of the conspiracies and set a starting point that reflected that finding, though they noted his age, health and solitary confinement when reducing the penalty.
Judges took into account that Lai is serving a separate fraud sentence of five years and nine months and ruled that 18 years of the security conviction should run consecutively to that term, the ruling said.
Six former Apple Daily staffers and two activists pleaded guilty and received prison terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years, the court record shows. Some sentences were reduced because defendants provided testimony that "significantly" contributed to Lai's conviction.
Lai has been in custody for more than five years, and his lawyer Robert Pang declined to comment about an appeal. Reporters noted Lai smiled and waved at supporters when he arrived, and appeared serious before leaving as people in the public gallery cried.
Reactions And Implications
Hong Kong leader John Lee said the sentence demonstrated the rule of law and added "It's bringing great satisfaction to the people," while the head of the national security police, Steve Li, welcomed the "imposition of a heavy sentence."
The government said it will confiscate assets related to Lai's crime. Prosecutors said a medical report showed Lai's general health remained stable, and authorities said his solitary confinement was at Lai's wish.
International responses were critical. U S President Donald Trump said he felt "so badly" and said he had spoken to Chinese leader Xi Jinping to ask him "to consider his release." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government called for Lai's release.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the prosecution "politically motivated" and said 20 years was "an effective life sentence" for Lai. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her government was "gravely concerned" and urged China to cease suppression of freedoms consistent with UN recommendations.
Human Rights Watch Asia Director Elaine Pearson described the 20 year sentence as "effectively a death sentence," calling it cruel and unjust. Lead counsel Caolfhionn Gallagher said the result was the "final blow to the rule of law" in Hong Kong and called for world leaders to demand Lai's release.
Commentators and legal experts warned of wider implications. Urania Chiu of Oxford Brookes University said the case shows a broad construction of seditious intent and warned that engaging international platforms may now be construed as "collusion," posing risks for journalists and academics.
Press bodies in Hong Kong gave limited public response. The Hong Kong Journalists Association said its chair was "unable to speak freely about the Apple Daily sentencing," and the Foreign Correspondents' Club said it had "no comment at this time."
