Press Freedom and Human Rights

Jimmy Lai, 78, the pro‑democracy founder of Apple Daily and a British citizen, was sentenced by a Beijing‑backed Hong Kong court to 20 years under the national security law—the longest term yet imposed—after judges called him the "mastermind" behind alleged collusion with foreign forces and the publication of seditious materials; six former Apple Daily employees and two activists received sentences of about 6 years 3 months to 10 years. The verdict was hailed by Hong Kong and Chinese officials as justified, while drawing international condemnation from the U.S., U.K., U.N. and rights groups as politically motivated or unjust, with calls for clemency, humanitarian parole and other responses.