Jimmy Lai to Forgo Appeal Against 20-Year Jail Term for National Security Charges Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has decided not to challenge his 20-year prison sentence for collusion with foreign forces and sedition, according to his legal team. The announcement, made by his domestic lawyer on Friday, marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle that has drawn global scrutiny. Lai, 78, the founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was one of the most prominent critics of China’s Communist Party leadership. His case, which spanned nearly five years, culminated in a February sentencing after he was convicted in December on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign entities and one count of publishing seditious material. The decision not to appeal was confirmed by a member of Lai’s legal team, who spoke to Reuters under anonymity. The lawyer stated that Lai’s instructions are clear and definitive, with no intention to contest the conviction or the sentence. The ruling has faced criticism from countries including the United Kingdom and the United States, which have condemned the verdict as politically motivated. Separately, Fung Wai-kong, the former editor-in-chief of Apple Daily’s English edition, filed an appeal against his 10-year prison term in the same national security case. Lai’s family has raised concerns about his deteriorating health, citing years of solitary confinement and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart palpitations, and hypertension. They have warned that his prolonged incarceration could lead to severe health complications. Human rights organizations and democratic nations have consistently called for Lai’s release, with U.S. President Donald Trump addressing the issue during recent talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.#hong_kong #jimmy_lai #apple_daily #feng_wai_kong #national_security_law
