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XINHUA

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China Daily

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South China Morning Post

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Guardian

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Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old pro-democracy media tycoon and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court on February 9, 2026. He was convicted in December on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious materials under Beijing's national security law.

Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old pro-democracy media tycoon and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court on February 9, 2026. He was convicted in December on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious materials under Beijing's national security law.

The sentence was handed down by three judges appointed under the national security law, with 18 years to be served consecutively to a previous five-year, nine-month fraud sentence. Given Lai's age, the prison term could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, with his earliest possible release date in 2044 when he would be 96 years old.

The sentence was handed down by three judges appointed under the national security law, with 18 years to be served consecutively to a previous five-year, nine-month fraud sentence. Given Lai's age, the prison term could keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, with his earliest possible release date in 2044 when he would be 96 years old.

Six former Apple Daily executives and two activists were also sentenced on the same day, receiving jail terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years. The convicted journalists included publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee.

Six former Apple Daily executives and two activists were also sentenced on the same day, receiving jail terms ranging from six years and three months to 10 years. The convicted journalists included publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee.

Apple Daily, founded by Lai in 1995, was forced to close in June 2021 after police raids, prosecutions and a freeze of its assets. The final edition sold a million copies. The newspaper was known for its critical reports against the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing and its support of the city's pro-democracy movement.

Apple Daily, founded by Lai in 1995, was forced to close in June 2021 after police raids, prosecutions and a freeze of its assets. The final edition sold a million copies. The newspaper was known for its critical reports against the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing and its support of the city's pro-democracy movement.

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both called for Lai's release, with Trump stating he spoke to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the case. Starmer raised the issue during his meeting with Xi in Beijing in January, telling Parliament that discussions would continue and the Foreign Secretary was in touch with Lai's family.

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both called for Lai's release, with Trump stating he spoke to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the case. Starmer raised the issue during his meeting with Xi in Beijing in January, telling Parliament that discussions would continue and the Foreign Secretary was in touch with Lai's family.

Human rights organizations and press freedom groups condemned the sentence, with Human Rights Watch calling it effectively a death sentence and the Committee to Protect Journalists stating the rule of law has been completely shattered in Hong Kong. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have rejected criticism, saying the case has nothing to do with press freedom.

Human rights organizations and press freedom groups condemned the sentence, with Human Rights Watch calling it effectively a death sentence and the Committee to Protect Journalists stating the rule of law has been completely shattered in Hong Kong. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have rejected criticism, saying the case has nothing to do with press freedom.

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Hong Kong court jails pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for 20 years

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