Hong Kong court sentences media mogul Lai to 20 years in prison

Hong Kong media mogul and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the most closely watched trial under the National Security Law. The court found him guilty of conspiring with foreign forces and publishing seditious material. During the trial, the prosecution cited 161 articles published in Apple Daily that it said "incited discontent" with the government.

The judges emphasized that Lai was the "mastermind" and main driving force behind long-term efforts to impose foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong by the US and other countries, which led to an extremely harsh sentence.

The verdict drew criticism from abroad. The US and the UK have repeatedly called for his release, and human rights organizations have spoken of political persecution and another blow to press freedom.

Lai, who is 78 years old and in poor health, claims he is a political prisoner. According to his family, the long sentence could mean a de facto life sentence in prison.

However, Beijing insists that the trial was fair. And necessary to restore order after the 2019 protests.

(reuters, pir)