Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in national security caseReuters, HONG KONGHong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英) was sentenced today to a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials. Hong Kong police officers escort tycoon Jimmy Lai, center, from his Kowloon home after he was arrested under the new National Security Law on Aug. 10, 2020. Photo: AFPThe trial has been the Chinese territory's most high-profile national security case. "The harsh 20-year sentence against 78-year-old Jimmy Lai is effectively a death sentence," Human Rights Watch Asia director Elaine Pearson said. Beijing says Lai has received a fair trial and all are treated equally under the national security law that has restored order to the territory.

Source: Taipei Times February 09, 2026 04:32 UTC