TransparencyCourts & justice
Hong Kong High Court sentences Jimmy Lai to 20 years under the national security law; UN rights chief calls for release
Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesHong Kong · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Hong Kong Government
Hong Kong High Court national security panel
Also named
Affected
Jimmy Lai, Founder, Apple Daily
Advocate
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
What happened
On 9 February 2026 a panel of three designated national-security judges sentenced Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, 78, to 20 years after his 15 December 2025 conviction for conspiracy to publish seditious material and two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. Eight co-defendants received 6 years 3 months to 10 years. Lai had been in custody since August 2020. The Hong Kong government says the case has nothing to do with press freedom; UN High Commissioner Volker Turk called the law's provisions vague and overly broad and urged his release.
By the numbers (2)
● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported
Roles
○
Jimmy Lai received a 20-year sentence under the national security law.
1 source
- nbcnews.com
20-year sentence
Figures
○
Eight co-defendants received sentences from 6 years 3 months to 10 years.
1 source
- nbcnews.com
eight co-defendants received 6 years 3 months to 10 years
Sources (3)
nbcnews.com20-year sentence; three government-vetted judges; eight co-defendants received 6 years 3 months to 10 years.
Al JazeeraAuthorities maintain the case has nothing to do with freedom of speech and of the press; in custody since August 2020.
news.un.orgTurk called for Lai's immediate release and described the legislation's provisions as vague and overly broad.
Response
Hong Kong Government
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
Hong Kong High Court national security panel
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.