MAC, rights groups condemn Jimmy Lai sentencingStaff writer, with CNAThe Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday “strongly condemned” the “political persecution” by Chinese authorities after Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (黎智英) was sentenced to 20 years in prison under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. “We also lament that, under the shadow of the CCP’s authoritarian rule, Hong Kong has suffered devastating damage — making today the darkest day for Hong Kong’s democracy,” it added. International rights groups also condemned the sentencing. “This court decision underscores the complete collapse of press freedom in Hong Kong and the authorities’ profound contempt for independent journalism,” Reporters Without Borders director-general Thibaut Bruttin said in a statement. “Imprisoning a 78-year-old man for doing nothing more than exercising his rights shows a complete disregard for human dignity,” Amnesty deputy regional director Sarah Brooks said.

Source: Taipei Times February 09, 2026 17:12 UTC