HONG KONG (AP) – On Monday, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to be sentenced following his December conviction under a national security law imposed by Beijing. The 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment, a situation that has drawn criticism from various foreign governments.
The judiciary announced on its website that the sentencing session will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday. Lai, known for being an outspoken critic of China's ruling Communist Party, was arrested in 2020 under the national security law, which Beijing claimed was essential for maintaining stability in the city after widespread anti-government protests in 2019.
His trial has been perceived as a significant indicator of the deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong, a former British colony that reverted to Chinese control in 1997. However, the Hong Kong government contends that Lai's case does not pertain to media freedom. The proceedings against him have heightened concerns over the erosion of civil liberties in the region.
The forthcoming sentencing may exacerbate tensions between Beijing and Western countries, as Lai’s conviction has already spurred backlash from the United States and the United Kingdom. Following the December verdict, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously brought Lai's case to the attention of Chinese officials, expressed his dismay at the developments. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has also demanded Lai's release, emphasizing his status as a British citizen.
During the trial, Lai was found guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He was accused of collaborating with senior Apple Daily executives and others to appeal to foreign powers for sanctions, blockades, or other hostile actions against Hong Kong or China.
Lai is expected to appear in court alongside six former Apple Daily journalists and two activists, all of whom are awaiting their fate. While Lai has pleaded not guilty to all charges, his co-defendants entered guilty pleas, which might afford them the possibility of reduced sentences.
Previously, Lai was convicted of several lesser offenses related to fraud allegations stemming from 2019. He is currently serving a nearly six-year prison term for the fraud case, which has added to the legal challenges facing him as he contends with accusations under the national security law.
The outcome of Monday's sentencing is likely to have significant ramifications on international relations and could further complicate the already tense atmosphere surrounding Hong Kong's political landscape. As global scrutiny intensifies, the implications of Lai's conviction and sentencing will undoubtedly resonate beyond the borders of Hong Kong.
