Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy campaigner, media tycoon and devout Christian Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in jail at the age 78 — effectively a death sentence.
Late last year, he was convicted on national security charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one of publishing seditious materials.
Despite being a British citizen and facing certain arrest in the Beijing-controlled former British colony, the founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, refused to flee from Hong Kong.
The verdict and the sentence came as no surprise.
No one actually expected the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to acquit Jimmy Lai or show him any mercy.
“HE WILL DIE A MARTYR BEHIND BARS”
Still, his daughter Claire described it as a “heartbreakingly cruel” sentence, adding that she has seen her father’s health deteriorate over the last five years.
“If this sentence is carried out, he will die a martyr behind bars.”
His son Sebastien called it a “dark day for anyone who believes in truth, freedom and justice”
“It signifies the total destruction of the Hong Kong legal system and the end of justice.”
“AN AFFRONT TO JUSTICE AFTER FIVE YEARS OF MALICIOUS LAWFARE”
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC who led Lai’s international legal team which was not allowed to defend him in court, said it marked a “final blow to the rule of law in Hong Kong”.
“This has been a show trial from the start — the script was already written. We knew a draconian sentence was coming.”
“Sentencing Jimmy Lai to two decades behind bars is an affront to justice, and the culmination of over five years of malicious lawfare against a courageous, elderly British citizen and prisoner of conscience.”
“Now that this sham trial is finally over, we call on leaders from around the world to speak with one voice in their demand for China to free Jimmy Lai.”
“A QUIET MARTYRDOM HIDDEN AWAY IN A SOLITARY JAIL CELL”
Ashley McGuire, senior fellow at the Catholic Association, wrote in the Washington Examiner: “Jimmy Lai is the embodiment of heroism that each of us is called to and that deep down each of us aspires to. Each of us has a stake in his principled stand against evil.”
“His story is a timeless one. Since the dawn of Christianity, we Christians have been asked to accept martyrdom as a possibility.”
“For some Christians, that martyrdom has been horrifically violent.”
“For others, it has been a quiet martyrdom, hidden away in a solitary jail cell.”
“HE COULD HAVE TAKEN HIS RICHES AND FLED OVERSEAS, BUT HE STAYED”
“That is Jimmy Lai’s martyrdom. He is not in solitary confinement because he is a Christian, and yet he is.”
“He refused to become a mouthpiece for the CCP when it came calling.”
“A billionaire, he could have taken his riches and fled to Europe, reading about the plight of his countrymen on the pages of his own media platform-turned-propaganda machine by the CCP.“
“Instead, he credits his Christian faith with giving him the strength to stay and fight for the truth and the dignity of his people.”
“TO DEFEAT INTIMIDATION, FACE UP TO FEAR AND DON’T BE FRIGHTENED”
“If they can induce fear in you, that’s the cheapest way to control you. The only way to defeat the way of intimidation is to face up to fear and don’t let it frighten you,” Lai said in an interview.”
“China has made its choice. If it does not release Jimmy Lai, it will be responsible for the making of its newest martyr,” asserts McGuire.
“Pressure from the Trump administration may be his only hope for release.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was supposed to have raised the Lai case with China’s president Xi Jinping during their talks in Beijing last week, but so far there is no evidence of any reprieve for Jimmy Lai.
“EVEN IN 2026, CHRISTIANS MUST ENDURE GREAT TRIALS”
Ashley McGuire writes that Jimmy Lai’s real hope is found in something higher than earthly powers.
“Even in the year 2026, Christians must endure great trials on the part of their consciences.”
British champion of religious liberty Lord Alton wrote on X: “When the CCP dictatorship ends, Jimmy Lai’s heroic defence of freedom will long be remembered and celebrated.”
His daughter Claire recently said: “The government has no case. All they’ve proven is that my father is a good man, a man who loves God, a man who loves freedom, who loves truth, and loves his family.”
McGuire concludes: “That is Jimmy Lai’s real verdict. And it will outlast everything.”
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