Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and former media executive Jimmy Lai is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday. Lai was found guilty in December under the national security law imposed by Beijing. He is the founder of the Apple Daily newspaper, which has since ceased operations.
At 78 years old, Lai faces a potential sentence ranging up to life imprisonment. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for press freedom and political dissent in Hong Kong.
**Why this matters**
Jimmy Lai’s conviction is seen as a key example of the enforcement of Beijing’s national security law in Hong Kong. The law has been criticized internationally for restricting freedoms and targeting pro-democracy figures. Lai’s sentencing will be closely watched as a measure of the law’s impact on media and political expression in the city.
Source: NewsData