Hong Kong’s most prominent media tycoon, Jimmy Lai, was sentenced on Monday to a total of 20 years in jail on national security charges, marking the conclusion of the city’s most high-profile security law case. The 78-year-old founder of the now-defunctApple Dailynewspaper was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials.

The court ruled that Lai’s actions fell within the most serious category of offences under Hong Kong’s national security law, carrying penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. Judges said the sentence was aggravated by Lai’s role as the “mastermind” and driving force behind the alleged conspiracies.

Lai, a British citizen and long-time critic of the Chinese Communist Party, has denied all charges, describing himself as a political prisoner facing persecution from Beijing. His case has become a symbol of Hong Kong’s sweeping national security crackdown following the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have criticised the verdict and called for Lai’s release. Press freedom and human rights organisations warned that the sentence could effectively amount to a life term given Lai’s age and health conditions. Beijing has maintained that Lai received a fair trial and that the national security law has restored stability to Hong Kong.