In a striking assertion, Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee has publicly commended the 20-year prison sentence given to pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, labeling him as someone who has committed "numerous heinous crimes, and his evil deeds were beyond measure." This declaration was made on February 10, 2026, amidst a backdrop of international outcry regarding Lai's imprisonment. Officials from the United States, the United Kingdom, and multiple other nations, alongside representatives from the United Nations, have condemned Lai's sentencing as "unjust" and are calling for his release, particularly considering his advanced age and health concerns.
Lee's remarks were particularly pointed as he characterized Lai's former newspaper, Apple Daily, as having "poisoned" the minds of Hong Kong citizens, inciting them to engage in breaking the law during the widespread protests against the government in 2019. He asserted that the imposition of such a severe sentence reflects a commitment to upholding the rule of law and delivering justice, suggesting that it provides a sense of relief for the community at large.
Lai's sentence was pronounced on a Monday and included eight co-defendants, among them six former employees of Apple Daily, who received varying prison terms from six years and three months to ten years. This ruling marks the most severe penalty imposed in Hong Kong since the implementation of national security legislation by Beijing in 2020.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the verdict, describing it as an "unjust and tragic conclusion" to Lai's situation. He emphasized that this case illustrates Beijing's readiness to go to great lengths to suppress advocates for fundamental freedoms within Hong Kong. Rubio, along with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, has urged Hong Kong authorities to release Lai based on humanitarian considerations, particularly noting that for someone aged 78, such a lengthy sentence could effectively equate to a life sentence. Cooper expressed deep concern for Lai's health and implored Hong Kong officials to alleviate his distress by allowing him to reunite with his family.
Jimmy Lai was convicted in December on charges of collusion with foreign forces—under the national security law—and sedition, stemming from his support of the protests and efforts to lobby the United States for sanctions against Hong Kong leaders following the crackdown on dissent. Before his arrest, Lai was well-known as a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party and a staunch supporter of democratic movements in Hong Kong.
In light of his father’s sentence, Lai’s son Sebastian described the 20-year term as akin to a "death sentence," given his father's age and declining health. He expressed hope that the British government would make more substantial efforts to secure his father’s release.
Criticism has also emerged from UK opposition leaders, who have taken aim at Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his perceived inaction regarding Lai's plight during a recent trip to Beijing. Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary from the Conservative Party, accused Starmer and his government of failing to advocate effectively for Lai's release, even going so far as to label the Prime Minister as "spineless" for endorsing a controversial Chinese initiative to establish a massive embassy in London, which some allege functions as a "spy hub."
Despite widespread condemnation from the international community, China continues to assert that its national security laws are essential for maintaining stability in Hong Kong. A report released by China's State Council reiterated that individuals like Lai, described as "anti-China agitators" seeking to disrupt Hong Kong's order, have faced conviction and punishment in accordance with the law.
