{"id":2567848,"date":"2026-02-09T10:19:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T15:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hong-kong-pro-democracy-leader-jimmy-lai-sentenced-to-20-years\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T10:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T15:20:09","slug":"hong-kong-pro-democracy-leader-jimmy-lai-sentenced-to-20-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hong-kong-pro-democracy-leader-jimmy-lai-sentenced-to-20-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong pro-democracy leader Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhong-kong-pro-democracy-leader-jimmy-lai-sentenced-to-20-years%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2567848&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>&#8211; Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily, was sentenced too 20 years in prison under China\u2019s national security law for colluding with foreign forces, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/communist-china-appears-to-block-online-tiananmen-square-museum-follows-crackdown-on-other-exhibits\/\" title=\"Communist China Appears To Block Online Tiananmen Square Museum, Follows Crackdown On Other Exhibits\">endangering national security<\/a>, and conspiring to publish seditious materials. He was convicted in December for actions tied to his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-surveillance-giant-arms-iran-with-advanced-spy-tech\/\" title=\"Chinese Surveillance Giant Arms Iran With Advanced Spy Tech\">pro-democracy advocacy<\/a> and journalism during the 2019\u20132020 protests.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Lai\u2019s 20-year sentence is the longest handed down under the NSL. Six former Apple Daily employees were also sentenced, with terms ranging from six to ten years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Lai has spent more than five years in solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison. He is a British citizen, and his health has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-suddenly-realizes-migrant-crisis-is-a-crisis-asks-federal-govt-for-help\/\" title=\"DC Suddenly Realizes Migrant Crisis Is a Crisis, Asks Federal Govt for Help\">raised humanitarian concerns<\/a>, including heart palpitations and high blood pressure. The United Kingdom has urged his release on humanitarian grounds, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the case with Chinese President Xi Jinping.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Western nations and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >human rights groups condemned<\/a> the punishment, while Beijing called the case an internal matter and urged others to respect Hong Kong\u2019s court decision.A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman emphasized sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong kong.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The case highlights the ongoing crackdown on Hong Kong protests after 2019\u20132020 and the broader tightening of Beijing\u2019s control over the semiautonomous territory. the article notes various political reactions,including U.S. commentary from then-President Trump and a bipartisan push in the U.S. to close Hong Kong\u2019s economic and trade offices.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2497286\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hong-kong\/\">Hong Kong<\/a>&lsquo;s legal system sentenced pro-democracy activist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/3924276\/jimmy-lai-is-a-living-martyr\/\">Jimmy Lai<\/a> to 20 years in prison on Monday after he was charged with violating <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\">China<\/a>&lsquo;s national security law.<\/p>\n<p>In December, Lai was convicted of colluding with foreign forces, endangering national security, and conspiring to publish seditious materials. Lai, a British citizen, pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from his pro-democracy advocacy and journalism amid the anti-government protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450580\/venezuela-opposition-figure-kidnapped\/\">Venezuela opposition figure kidnapped hours after release from prison<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450512\/takaichi-wins-big-japan-snap-election\/\">Japan&#8217;s Takaichi wins big in snap election after Trump endorsement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450336\/iran-attack-us-bases-spread-all-over-trump-strikes\/\">Iran threatens to attack US bases &#8216;spread all over&#8217; region if Trump orders strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/beijing\/\">Beijing<\/a> cracked down on the demonstrations at the time, imprisoning thousands of people for protesting China&rsquo;s control over Hong Kong. The Chinese territory is considered semiautonomous. Lai was one of many who were later prosecuted and convicted.<\/p>\n<p>Lai, 78, is known for running the shuttered Hong Kong newspaper <em>Apple Daily<\/em>, which was known for criticizing the Chinese Communist Party. He has already spent more than five years in solitary confinement at a maximum security prison after initially being arrested in 2020 on fraud charges.<\/p>\n<p>Lai&rsquo;s new 20-year sentence marks the longest under China&rsquo;s national security law.<\/p>\n<p>Six former <em>Apple Daily<\/em> employees were also sentenced on Monday, with their terms ranging from six to 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>Hong Kong leaders welcomed Lai&rsquo;s punishment, while Western nations and human rights groups were appalled.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-kingdom\/\">United Kingdom<\/a> is calling on Hong Kong to release Lai on humanitarian grounds over his ailing health conditions, including heart palpitations and high blood pressure. British Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/keir-starmer\/\">Keir Starmer<\/a> discussed Lai&rsquo;s imprisonment with Chinese President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xi-jinping\/\">Xi Jinping<\/a> in Beijing late last month.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump has indicated he is aware of Lai&rsquo;s situation, although he hasn&rsquo;t taken further action to force Beijing to release him beyond asking Xi to consider it.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesman for China&rsquo;s foreign ministry insisted Lai&rsquo;s sentence is an internal matter and that other countries should respect the Hong Kong court&rsquo;s decision.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3917809\/china-convicts-hong-kong-democracy-leader-jimmy-lai-sedition\/\">CHINA CONVICTS HONG KONG PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER JIMMY LAI OF SEDITION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We urge relevant countries to respect China&rsquo;s sovereignty and abide by the rule of law in Hong Kong,&rdquo; the spokesman said. &ldquo;They must not make irresponsible remarks about&rdquo; Hong Kong&rsquo;s legal proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Beijing&rsquo;s response came after Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeff-merkley\/\">Jeff Merkley<\/a> (D-OR) issued a statement urging his colleagues to pass a bipartisan bill that would close Hong Kong&rsquo;s economic and trade offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jimmy Lai jailed 20 years for national security crimes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2567849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26037486267144.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[5804,38254,48598,73358,12447],"class_list":["post-2567848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-crackdown","tag-hong-kong","tag-jimmy-lai","tag-pro-democracy","tag-sentencing"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26037486267144.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2567848"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2567852,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567848\/revisions\/2567852"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2567849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2567848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2567848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2567848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}