Jimmy Lai's 20-Year Sentence: Hong Kong Leader Praises 'Evil Deeds' Amid Global Outcry

Jimmy Lai's Landmark Sentence Ignites Global Debate Over Hong Kong's Future

In a development that has sent ripples across the globe, Hong Kong media mogul and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai has been handed a 20-year prison sentence. This severe verdict, the harshest under Beijing’s controversial National Security Law imposed in 2020, has drawn sharply contrasting reactions, highlighting deep divisions over justice and autonomy in the semi-autonomous city.

Hong Kong Leader Praises 'Evil Deeds' Verdict Amidst Controversy

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, has unequivocally endorsed the lengthy imprisonment of the 78-year-old former Apple Daily owner. Lee lauded the sentencing, stating that Lai had committed “numerous heinous crimes, and his evil deeds were beyond measure.” He further asserted that Lai’s newspaper had “poisoned” Hong Kong citizens, allegedly encouraging radicalism, violence, and law-breaking during the widespread anti-government demonstrations of 2019. For Lee, the 20-year sentence unequivocally demonstrates that “the rule of law is upheld and justice is done, and also brings great relief to all.” Lai was sentenced alongside eight other defendants, including former Apple Daily employees, who received terms ranging from six to ten years.

International Condemnation and Urgent Humanitarian Appeals

In stark contrast to Hong Kong’s official stance, a chorus of international voices, including officials from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations, have condemned the judgment as unjust. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk urgently called for the verdict to be “promptly quashed as incompatible with international law.” Both US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper explicitly demanded Lai's release on humanitarian grounds, citing his advanced age and deteriorating health.

Rubio described the sentence as an “unjust and tragic conclusion,” emphasizing that it reveals Beijing’s readiness to silence advocates for fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Cooper, deeply concerned for Lai’s health, highlighted that for a 78-year-old, this sentence is effectively “tantamount to a life sentence.” She reiterated her call for Hong Kong authorities to “end his appalling ordeal and release him... so that he may be reunited with his family.” Lai holds both UK and Hong Kong citizenship.

The Charges and Beijing's Firm Stance

Lai’s conviction in December stemmed from two counts of colluding with foreign forces – a serious national security charge – and one count of sedition. These charges were linked to his alleged support for the 2019 protests and his purported lobbying of the US to impose sanctions on Hong Kong leaders following the crackdown. A long-standing critic of China’s Communist Party and a prominent supporter of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, Lai's son, Sebastian, tragically referred to the 20-year term as a “death sentence” given his father’s age and precarious health.

Despite the global outcry, China remains unwavering, maintaining that its national security laws are indispensable for safeguarding Hong Kong’s stability. A recent report from China’s powerful State Council on Hong Kong’s national security situation referenced Lai’s trial, asserting that “anti-China agitators” like Lai, “who sought to destabilise Hong Kong have been convicted and put in jail in accordance with the law.”

Political Repercussions and the Future of Dissent

The handling of Lai’s case has also triggered political tensions in the UK. Opposition leaders, including Conservative Party Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, have criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour Government for allegedly not doing enough to secure Lai’s release during Starmer’s January trip to Beijing. Patel publicly denounced Starmer as “spineless” for his perceived inaction and for concurrently approving China’s controversial plan for a “mega embassy” in London. This high-profile case continues to underscore the delicate balance between international human rights advocacy and national sovereignty claims, with Jimmy Lai at the center of a profound ideological clash regarding freedom of expression and the rule of law in Hong Kong.