Hong Kong sentences pro-democracy mogul Jimmy Lai to twenty years in jail

[ad_1] A Hong Kong courtroom sentenced pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai to twenty years in jail on Monday for nationwide safety crimes, a punishment rights teams condemned as "successfully a loss of life sentence" and an emblem of the town's shrivelling press freedoms.

Lai, a British citizen and founding father of the now-defunct Apple Each day newspaper, was discovered responsible in December of urging overseas nations to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and for publishing "seditious" articles in his paper.

The 78-year-old's sentence is by far the harshest handed out beneath the Beijing-imposed nationwide safety regulation, surpassing the earlier file of 10 years given to authorized scholar Benny Tai in 2024.

Watch extra Hong Kong, regulation and order: Contained in the insurgent metropolis now beneath Chinese language management

A abstract doc from the judges stated they'd settled on 20 years' imprisonment "after contemplating the intense and grave prison conduct of Lai".

Two of these years will overlap with Lai's current jail time period, that means that he'll serve an extra 18 years, the judges wrote.

Lai, who has been behind bars since 2020, sat impassively within the dock as his sentence was learn out, an AFP journalist within the courtroom noticed.

As he was led away, he waved solemnly to individuals within the public gallery, together with his spouse Teresa, former Hong Kong bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen, and former Apple Each day reporters.

His defence lawyer Robert Pang declined to touch upon whether or not Lai would lodge an attraction, which may be achieved within the subsequent 28 days.

Requested if the sentence was in step with expectations, Pang instructed AFP: "In these occasions, I do not know what to anticipate."

Teresa Lai was grim-faced in the course of the listening to and made no remark as she left the courtroom, however their kids, who reside overseas, condemned the sentence in a press release.

"Sentencing my father to this draconian jail sentence is devastating for our household and life-threatening for my father," Lai's son Sebastien stated.

The mogul's daughter Claire known as it "a heartbreakingly merciless sentence" given his declining well being in jail, and if carried out, "he'll die a martyr behind bars".

'Successfully a loss of life sentence' Rights teams additionally stated Lai's punishment amounted to a grave injustice.

"The cruel 20-year sentence in opposition to 78-year-old Jimmy Lai is successfully a loss of life sentence. A sentence of this magnitude is each merciless and profoundly unjust," Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated in a press release.

Amnesty Worldwide known as the case "one other grim milestone in Hong Kong's transformation from a metropolis ruled by the rule of regulation to 1 dominated by concern".

Jodie Ginsberg, the CEO of the Committee to Shield Journalists, stated "at present's egregious determination is the ultimate nail within the coffin for freedom of the press in Hong Kong".

Retired bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and Teresa Lai, spouse of Jimmy Lai, arrive on the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts constructing in Hong Kong for sentencing on February 9, 2026. © Tyrone Siu, Reuters British Prime Minister Keir Starmer beforehand stated he had raised the problem of Lai throughout his assembly with Chinese language chief Xi Jinping in Beijing final month, whereas US President Donald Trump has additionally known as for his launch.

Following Lai's sentencing, British Overseas Secretary Yvette Cooper known as on Hong Kong to "finish his appalling ordeal" and pledged to "quickly interact additional" with Beijing.

Taiwan stated Lai's sentencing created a "chilling impact" throughout borders and "tramples on freedom of speech".

Beijing once more dismissed critics on Monday as smearing Hong Kong's judicial system, calling the sentence "cheap, official and authorized".

Hong Kong's chief govt John Lee lauded the prolonged jail time period as "deeply gratifying".

Staunch supporters Dozens of former Apple Each day staff and others braved the chilly to queue in a single day exterior the West Kowloon courtroom for a spot in courtroom, whereas journalists gathered exterior the constructing's entrance.

The temper was tense as police deployed dozens of officers, an armoured automobile and a bomb disposal van to the realm.

"I believe that is equal to sentencing Lai to life imprisonment," Lam Ying-kit, a former historical past instructor in his 50s, instructed AFP.

Lai's supporters, kids, legal professionals and rights teams have all raised considerations about his deteriorating well being in jail.

Lai was saved in solitary confinement at his personal request to keep away from harassment, based on prosecutors, whereas authorities keep he receives "ample" care.

Lengthy a thorn in Beijing's facet, Lai was prosecuted beneath the nationwide safety regulation imposed by China on Hong Kong in 2020 following big pro-democracy protests.

Apple Each day was pressured to shut in 2021 after police raids.

Eight different defendants, together with six Apple Each day executives, had been handed sentences of as much as 10 years in jail. All had pleaded responsible.

Hong Kong had arrested a complete of 386 individuals for numerous nationwide safety crimes by the beginning of this month, with 176 of them being convicted.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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Hong Kong sentences pro-democracy mogul Jimmy Lai to twenty years in jail

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