On Monday, a court sentenced 78-year-old democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison under the National Security Law that China imposed in 2020 in the wake of street protests in Hong Kong. The law targeted pro-democracy opposition and activities that China's government classifies as subversive, separatist, terrorist or colluding with foreign forces.

The prison term — described as "effectively a death sentence" by rights advocates — follows Lai's conviction on charges of foreign collusion and seditious publication in December 2025.

Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was one of the first prominent figures to be arrested under the National Security Law.