A Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison on charges related to national security. The verdict marks one of the most severe penalties handed down under the city’s national security law.
Human rights organizations have criticized the sentence, describing it as excessively harsh and expressing concern over its implications for press freedom in Hong Kong.
**Why this matters**
Jimmy Lai is a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement and founder of a major media outlet known for its critical stance toward the government. His lengthy prison term highlights increasing legal pressures on dissenting voices and raises alarms about the future of independent journalism in the city.
Source: NewsData