File photograph of Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founding father of Apple Day by day, arrives the Court docket of Ultimate Enchantment by jail van in Hong Kong.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Hong Kong’s pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai shall be sentenced Monday (February 9, 2026) following his conviction in December underneath a Beijing-imposed nationwide safety legislation.
Mr. Lai, the 78-year-old founding father of the now-defunct Apple Day by day newspaper, may resist life in jail within the case that has stirred criticism from some international governments.
The judiciary stated on Friday (February 6) on its web site that it is calling for the sentencing session at 10 a.m. Monday (February 9).
Mr. Lai was an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Occasion and was arrested in 2020 underneath the nationwide safety legislation that Beijing deemed vital for town’s stability following anti-government protests the earlier 12 months.
His trial was extensively seen as an indicator of the decline of press freedom within the former British colony, which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997.
The sentencing may create tensions between Beijing and international governments. Lai’s conviction already drew criticism from the U.S. and Britain. After the December verdict, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had raised Lai’s case with China, stated he felt “so dangerous.” U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has referred to as for the discharge of Lai, who’s a British citizen.
Mr. Lai was discovered responsible of conspiring with others to collude with international forces and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He was accused of conspiring with senior executives of Apple Day by day and others to ask international forces to impose sanctions or blockades or have interaction in different hostile actions towards Hong Kong or China.
Mr. Lai, alongside different co-defendants — six former Apple Day by day journalists and two activists — are anticipated to return to court docket Monday (February 9) to listen to about their destiny.
Their convictions underneath the safety legislation carry a most penalty of life imprisonment.
Mr. Lai pleaded not responsible to all prices. His six former Apple Day by day colleagues and the 2 activists all entered pleas, which may assist them get lowered sentences.
Mr. Lai was convicted of a number of lesser offences associated to fraud allegations and his actions in 2019. He’s serving an almost six-year jail time period for these offences.
Revealed – February 06, 2026 09:38 am IST