A Hong Kong court sentenced 78-year-old former media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty under the national security law, a case closely watched for its severe impact on press freedom.
On 9 February 2026, a Hong Kong court sentenced 78-year-old Jimmy Lai, a former prominent media tycoon and critic of the Beijing government, to 20 years in prison for violating the national security law. Earlier, in December, the court ruled that Lai was guilty of conspiring with foreign forces to undermine national security and conspiring to publish seditious articles, despite his consistent denial of all charges.
Jimmy Lai’s case is among the most significant since China imposed the national security law in Hong Kong, under which the maximum penalty can be life imprisonment. However, the court decided on a 20-year prison term.
Lai’s sentencing has reignited international criticism, with many viewing it as a sign of declining press freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong, a city once regarded as Asia’s press freedom hub.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong and Chinese governments insist that this prosecution is unrelated to press freedom but represents law enforcement against actions that threaten national security.
The 20-year sentence may increase diplomatic pressure on China, as the US and UK have repeatedly expressed concern over this case.
Source: BBC