Jimmy Lai is in prison in Hong Kong, where he is serving a 20-year sentence imposed on 9 February 2026 by a Beijing-backed court following a landmark national security trial. The 78-year-old British citizen and founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law, making his case one of the most politically significant prosecutions since Beijing imposed sweeping security legislation on the city in 2020.

Who Is Jimmy Lai?

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying was born in Guangzhou, China, in 1947. He arrived in Hong Kong as a child stowaway at the age of 12, working in garment factories before building a remarkable business empire from nothing. He founded Giordano, a popular Asian clothing retailer, before selling it and moving into media. In 1995 he launched Apple Daily, a tabloid newspaper that became Hong Kong’s most widely read pro-democracy publication and a persistent thorn in Beijing’s side.

Lai is a naturalised British citizen, a fact that has made his prosecution a matter of direct concern for the UK government. He is also a devout Catholic and a high-profile supporter of democratic freedoms in Hong Kong, having participated in pro-democracy protests over many years. He has been held in custody continuously since December 2020, spending much of that time in solitary confinement at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong.

Why Was Jimmy Lai Arrested?

Lai was first arrested in August 2020, shortly after Beijing imposed its National Security Law (NSL) on Hong Kong. He was accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security — language that critics say is deliberately broad and designed to criminalise legitimate political speech and journalism. Prosecutors argued that through Apple Daily and his public advocacy, Lai sought to encourage foreign governments and organisations to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and mainland China, which the authorities characterised as a threat to national sovereignty.

He was arrested on further charges in subsequent years, including sedition-related offences under the older Crimes Ordinance. His trial, which began in December 2023, was the most high-profile prosecution brought under the NSL and attracted widespread international attention. Human rights groups, press freedom organisations, and dozens of governments condemned both the charges and the trial process. For information on how remand and pre-trial custody work in England and Wales, see our guide on parole and release.

What Was He Convicted Of?

On 15 December 2025, a panel of three judges (sitting without a jury, as permitted under NSL cases) found Jimmy Lai guilty on all counts. He was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces under the National Security Law, and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications under the Crimes Ordinance. The judges described his conduct as “not only well planned but premeditated” and placed his offending in the most serious category. He was acquitted of one additional charge during the course of the trial.

How Long Is His Sentence?

On 9 February 2026, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison — the longest sentence yet handed down under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. At 78, the sentence means he will not be eligible for parole until he is in his late nineties, making it effectively a life sentence. His family, supporters, and legal team have raised serious concerns about his health: Lai suffers from heart palpitations and high blood pressure, and medical experts have warned that his conditions could deteriorate significantly in prison. His lawyer, Cyd Ho, called the sentence “disproportionate and unjust,” while his son Sebastien Lai described it as “an attempt to silence not just one man but the idea of a free press.”

UK Government Response

Because Jimmy Lai is a British citizen, his case has generated significant political pressure in the United Kingdom. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned his sentencing as a “politically motivated prosecution” and called for his immediate release. In January 2026, Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised Lai’s case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during Starmer’s visit to Beijing — an unusual public acknowledgement of the diplomatic tension surrounding the case.

The sentencing also prompted an emergency debate in the House of Commons, with MPs across party lines calling for the government to do more to secure Lai’s release. The UK joined G7 nations, the European Union, and 24 countries in the Media Freedom Coalition in condemning his conviction. The US State Department called the sentence a “cruel injustice,” and former US President Donald Trump also publicly criticised the verdict. Despite diplomatic pressure, Beijing has shown no indication that it will intervene in the judicial process. Those wishing to support someone in a foreign prison can find guidance on sending money to a prisoner via official channels.

What Happened to Apple Daily?

Apple Daily, the pro-democracy newspaper Lai founded in 1995, was forced to shut down in June 2021 after authorities froze the company’s assets under the National Security Law. At its peak, the paper sold approximately 700,000 copies a day and was regarded as one of the most influential voices for democratic reform in Hong Kong. Its closure, which came just days after a raid on its offices by more than 500 police officers, was widely seen as a defining moment in the erosion of press freedom in the city. Several senior Apple Daily editors were also arrested and have since faced their own trials. Jimmy Lai had long anticipated that his ownership of the paper would ultimately lead to his prosecution. You can read more about how to contact prisoners held abroad on our visits page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Jimmy Lai in prison?

Jimmy Lai is in prison because a Hong Kong court found him guilty of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Law, and of conspiring to publish seditious publications. Prosecutors argued that his newspaper Apple Daily and his political advocacy sought to encourage foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong, which the authorities characterised as endangering national security.

How long is Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence?

Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 9 February 2026. This is the longest sentence handed down under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. Given Lai’s age of 78 at the time of sentencing, he will not be eligible for parole until he is in his late nineties, which his supporters describe as effectively a life sentence.

Is Jimmy Lai a British citizen?

Yes, Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. His nationality makes his prosecution a matter of direct diplomatic concern for the UK government, which has condemned his conviction as politically motivated and has called for his release. The UK Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have both raised his case formally with Chinese authorities.

What was Apple Daily and what happened to it?

Apple Daily was a pro-democracy newspaper founded by Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong in 1995. It became one of the most widely read newspapers in the city and was known for its outspoken coverage of China and local politics. Authorities froze the company’s assets under the National Security Law in June 2021, forcing the paper to cease publication after 26 years. The closure was widely condemned by press freedom organisations around the world.

When will Jimmy Lai be released from prison?

Jimmy Lai is not eligible for parole until he is in his late nineties, given his 20-year sentence and his age of 78 at sentencing. His family, supporters, and the UK and US governments continue to campaign for his release, but as of May 2026 there is no indication that Chinese or Hong Kong authorities will grant clemency. His legal team is exploring all available avenues, including appeals.