In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through the global community, Hong Kong’s High Court on Monday sentenced pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. The verdict, delivered under Beijing’s sweeping National Security Law, marks the longest sentence yet imposed under the controversial legislation and underscores the rapidly shrinking space for dissent and independent media in the once-vibrant city.
A Verdict Echoing Through Hong Kong’s Judiciary
Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct
Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted in December on charges of collusion with foreign forces, endangering national security, and conspiracy to publish seditious materials. The court’s decision stated, “Having stepped back and taking a global view of the total sentence for Lai’s serious and grave criminal conduct … we are satisfied that the total sentence for Lai in the present case should be 20 years’ imprisonment.” This sentence surpasses the previous longest term under the law, a 10-year conviction for activist Benny Tai.
Lai has already been in detention for over five years, serving a separate prison term for fraud charges. His legal battles have become a potent symbol of the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms since the National Security Law was imposed in 2020, following widespread pro-democracy protests in 2019.
The Fall of Apple Daily and the Crackdown on Dissent
Apple Daily
, known for its outspoken criticism of the Chinese government, ceased operations in June 2021 after police arrested several of its employees and froze its assets. This effectively ended a 26-year run for a newspaper that had become a beacon of press freedom in Asia.
Lai was among the first prominent figures arrested in August 2020 under the security law. Prosecutors alleged that Lai conspired with former Apple Daily staffers, activists, and others to lobby foreign governments for sanctions and hostile activities against Hong Kong. Lai, however, had pleaded not guilty to the national security charges.
International Outcry and Diplomatic Pressure
The sentencing has drawn widespread international condemnation, with human rights organizations and governments expressing grave concerns. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, decried the verdict, stating, “A sentence of this magnitude is both cruel and profoundly unjust.”
Global Reactions
- Taiwan: The government in Taipei labelled the sentence “harsh” and an act of “trampling on freedom of speech and the press,” emphasizing the denial of people’s basic right to “hold those in power accountable.”
- United States: Former President Donald Trump had previously expressed sympathy for Lai’s conviction, mentioning he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider his release.
- United Kingdom: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised Lai’s case, given his British citizenship, during a recent visit to Beijing, calling for his release. Starmer confirmed that “those discussions will continue, and the foreign secretary is in touch with Mr Lai’s family.”
Hong Kong Authorities Defend Actions
Despite the international backlash, Hong Kong authorities maintain that the prosecution of Jimmy Lai is not an attack on press freedom. They argue that Lai used news reporting as a pretext to commit acts that threatened China and Hong Kong’s security, asserting that the case is about national security, not journalistic expression.
As Hong Kong grapples with its transformed political landscape, the fate of Jimmy Lai stands as a stark reminder of the profound changes sweeping through the city, challenging its long-held reputation as a bastion of freedom and open discourse.
— Contributions from CNBC’s Hikmah Md Ali and Elaine Yu.
For more details, visit our website.
Source: Link
Leave a comment