Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Newsletter image

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Join 10k+ people to get notified about new posts, news and tips.

Do not worry we don't spam!

Jimmy Lai Will Not Appeal 20-Year Sentence in Hong Kong Security Case

Jimmy Lai Will Not Appeal 20-Year Sentence in Hong Kong Security Case

Post by : Shakul

Hong Kong — Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai will not appeal his conviction and 20-year prison sentence in a landmark national security case, his legal team confirmed. The decision brings an end to a legal battle that lasted nearly five years and drew international attention.

The 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was sentenced in February after being found guilty in December of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials under Hong Kong’s national security law.

A member of Lai’s legal team said the businessman had given “clear and definitive instructions” not to file an appeal against either the conviction or the sentence. The lawyer did not provide further details explaining the decision.

Lai, one of the most prominent critics of the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, has been in custody for more than five years. His family has expressed concern about his health, noting that he suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure and heart-related complications while spending extended periods in solitary confinement.

The case has drawn strong criticism from several Western governments and human rights groups. Leaders in countries including the United States and Britain have called for his release, arguing that the charges undermine press freedom and political expression in Hong Kong.

The issue has also surfaced in diplomatic discussions. Donald Trump reportedly raised Lai’s situation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and the topic is expected to remain a point of tension in upcoming talks between Washington and Beijing.

However, authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China maintain that Lai received a fair trial and insist the national security law was necessary to restore stability in the city following the massive pro-democracy protests that erupted in 2019.

In a separate legal development last month, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal overturned a fraud conviction against Lai and cancelled a previous 69-month sentence, giving him a rare legal victory despite the far more serious national security case.

March 7, 2026 12:38 p.m. 126

#world news #Global News #Sports News

DeepSeek Tencent and HKU Develop AI Tool to Improve 3D Design Accuracy
March 7, 2026 2:14 p.m.
New open-source Pointer-CAD framework built on Alibaba’s Qwen 2.5 model aims to boost efficiency in computer-aided design
Read More
Taiwan Begins Review of Massive Defence Bill Amid Political Divisions
March 7, 2026 1:53 p.m.
Rival proposals from major parties clash over US arms purchases and locally developed ‘T-Dome’ air defence system
Read More
China Raises ‘Grave Concern’ Over EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act
March 7, 2026 1:15 p.m.
Beijing warns proposed EU law restricting foreign investment in key green industries could harm global trade and supply chains
Read More
Jimmy Lai Will Not Appeal 20-Year Sentence in Hong Kong Security Case
March 7, 2026 12:38 p.m.
Jailed media tycoon and Apple Daily founder accepts verdict in landmark national security case that drew global criticism
Read More
Ex-Rapper Balendra Shah’s Party Leads Nepal Vote Count
March 7, 2026 12:13 p.m.
Early election results show Rastriya Swatantra Party gaining strong leads as Nepal’s young voters push for political change
Read More
Iran Strike Destroys Key US THAAD Radar in Jordan
March 7, 2026 11:38 a.m.
Satellite imagery shows AN/TPY-2 radar used in the US missile defense system destroyed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base during early days of the conflict
Read More
US Grants India 30‑Day Waiver to Buy Russian Oil
March 7, 2026 11:14 a.m.
Temporary relaxation to allow Indian refiners to purchase stranded Russian crude aims to ease global supply pressures amid Middle East conflict
Read More
Japan Urges U.S. Not to Raise Tariffs Before Visit
March 7, 2026 10:47 a.m.
Tokyo seeks assurance that new U.S. tariff rules will not undermine last year’s trade deal as bilateral talks intensify before the March 19 leaders’ meeting
Read More
Qatar Warns Gulf Energy Exports May Halt Amid US-Iran War
March 6, 2026 5:56 p.m.
Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi says ongoing conflict could disrupt global oil and LNG supply and push energy prices sharply higher
Read More
Trending News