(C) Al Jazeera

Hong Kong — In a landmark ruling that has ignited international condemnation, the Hong Kong High Court on Monday sentenced 78-year-old Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, to 20 years in prison.

The sentencing, handed down on February 9, 2026, marks the climax of a years-long legal battle that has become a symbol of Hong Kong’s shifting political landscape under the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing in 2020. Given Lai’s advanced age, human rights advocates and legal analysts suggest the sentence is effectively a "life term."

 
The Verdict: "A Mastermind of Collusion"
The court found Lai guilty on two counts of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and one count of "conspiracy to publish seditious materials." Presiding judges characterized Lai as a "mastermind" and a "pivotal figure" in a campaign to destabilize the region by seeking foreign intervention.

"The defendant was a core figure who consistently conspired with foreign powers," the court stated during the sentencing. "Given the gravity of the crimes and the threat to national security, a heavy sentence is not only justified but necessary."
Lai’s family and legal team immediately denounced the verdict. In a brief statement, they claimed the ruling signifies the "total collapse of Hong Kong’s judicial independence" and called for his immediate unconditional release.

From Fashion Mogul to Political Dissident
Jimmy Lai’s journey from a penniless refugee to a media tycoon is a storied one. After building a fortune through the popular clothing brand Giordano, Lai shifted his focus to media and activism following the 1898 Tiananmen Square protests.

In 1995, he founded Apple Daily, which became Hong Kong's most influential tabloid known for its sharp criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, his outspoken stance made him a primary target for authorities. Following the implementation of the National Security Law in June 2020, Lai was arrested in August of that year. His newspaper was forced to close in June 2021 after its assets were frozen and its newsroom was raided by police.

A Geopolitical Flashpoint
The trial of Jimmy Lai has long been a point of friction between China and the West. The 20-year sentence is expected to further strain relations between Beijing and major world capitals.

United States: During the U.S.-China summit held in Busan last October, President Donald Trump reportedly raised Lai’s case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling for his release.
United Kingdom: Last month, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also advocated for Lai during a visit to Beijing, highlighting that Lai holds dual Hong Kong and British citizenship.
Despite these diplomatic pressures, Beijing has remained firm, maintaining that the case is an internal matter and that the rule of law must be upheld against "anti-China elements."

 
Analysis: The Future of Press Freedom
The 20-year sentence is the harshest handed down to a high-profile figure under the National Security Law to date. Legal experts argue that this sets a chilling precedent for the remaining vestiges of independent media and civil society in Hong Kong. Under the NSL, crimes such as collusion, secession, and subversion carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

As Lai begins his two-decade sentence, the international community continues to watch closely, viewing his fate as a barometer for the "One Country, Two Systems" framework that once guaranteed Hong Kong's unique freedoms.