Jimmy Lai, media mogul from Hong Kong, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for charges related to national security, sparking international criticism.

A court in Hong Kong sentenced pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison on February 9, following a national security trial that has been condemned by human rights groups and Western nations as a symbol of the curtailment of press freedoms in the city. At the age of 78, Lai, the founder of a pro-democracy newspaper, was charged with subversive activities and conspiracy, being a vocal critic of the Chinese government. His conviction has generated international reactions, highlighting concerns over the deterioration of civil liberties in Hong Kong, especially in the context of the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. This sentence is seen as part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent and freedom of expression in the region.