Hong Kong’s most prominent media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday to a total of 20 years in jail on national security charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one of publishing seditious materials.

The sentence ends a legal saga spanning almost five years, and Hong Kong’s most high-profile national security hearing.

Lai, founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, was first arrested in August 2020 and convicted last year.

Lai’s sentence of 20 years was within the most severe penalty “band” of 10 years to life imprisonment for offences of a “grave nature”.

The Hong Kong court said Lai’s sentence was enhanced by the fact that he was the mastermind and driving force behind foreign collusion conspiracies.

The 78-year-old, a British citizen, has denied all the charges against him, saying in court he is a “political prisoner” facing persecution from Beijing.

Lai’s plight has been criticised by US and European leaders, including US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“The international community must step up its pressure to free Jimmy Lai if we want press freedom to be respected anywhere in the world,” said Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Lai arrived at court in a white jacket, with hands held together in a praying gesture as he smiled and waved at supporters.

The case has drawn calls for the long-standing critic of the Chinese government to be freed.

“The harsh 20-year sentence against 78-year-old Jimmy Lai is effectively a death sentence,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia Director of Human Rights Watch.

Dozens of Lai’s supporters queued for several days to secure a spot in the courtroom, with scores of police officers, sniffer dogs and police vehicles, including an armoured truck and a bomb disposal van, deployed around the area.

Life in prison

Lai’s family, lawyer, supporters and former colleagues have warned that he could die in prison as he suffers from health conditions, including heart palpitations and high blood pressure.

Besides Lai, six former senior Apple Daily staffers, an activist and a paralegal will also be sentenced.

Beijing says Lai has received a fair trial, and all are treated equally under the national security law that has restored order to the city.