Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old media owner and pro-democracy advocate, has been imprisoned since 2020 on charges of “collusion with foreign forces” and conspiracy to publish seditious material. He was arrested on December 17, 2020, under Hong Kong’s Beijing-imposed National Security Law, legislation widely criticized for being used to silence dissent and independent journalism.
Despite his deteriorating health, the court is now moving toward imposing a life sentence. Lai’s case is the largest media trial in Hong Kong’s history and a stark symbol of the city’s collapse of press freedom.
Six former Apple Daily journalists and executives were also sentenced after being arrested in 2021 and pleading guilty in 2022 in exchange for clemency on additional charges. Some later testified against Lai. They are:
- Chan Pui-man, associate publisher – 7 years
- Cheung Kim-hung, CEO of Next Digital Limited – 6 years and 9 months
- Lam Man-chung, executive editor-in-chief – 10 years
- Ryan Law Wai-kwong, editor-in-chief – 10 years
- Fung Wai-kong, senior editorial writer and managing editor of the English edition – 10 years
- Yeung Ching-kee, lead editorial writer – 7 years and 3 months
Apple Daily was forced to shut down in 2021 after authorities froze its assets and repeatedly raided its newsroom, ending 26 years of independent journalism.
Lai has spent much of his detention in solitary confinement. According to his family and lawyers, prolonged isolation, restricted access to daylight, and limited exercise have severely affected his health. He suffers from multiple medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and cataracts.
From Free Press Alliance, we stand in solidarity with Jimmy Lai and all imprisoned journalists, and we call for his immediate release. Press freedom is not a crime.