China Took His City. And Now His Father Sebastien Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai, discusses his father’s arrest and sentencing for his role in the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Jimmy Lai, a prominent journalist and publisher, was sentenced to 20 years in prison this month for his involvement in the demonstrations, which were marked by widespread civil unrest and a crackdown by Chinese authorities. The protests, which began in June 2019, were fueled by demands for greater autonomy and democratic reforms in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous territory under Chinese sovereignty. Jimmy Lai, who founded the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, became a symbol of resistance during the protests. His arrest in 2019, along with hundreds of other activists, was part of a broader campaign by the Chinese government to suppress dissent. Sebastien Lai, in an interview, recounted his father’s early life, which shaped his political awakening. Born in mainland China during the communist era, Jimmy Lai experienced extreme poverty and famine as a child. He later worked as a laborer, transporting goods for wealthy individuals traveling between mainland China and Hong Kong. A moment of luxury—a piece of chocolate given to him by a stranger—left a lasting impression, prompting him to flee to Hong Kong in search of a better life. In Hong Kong, Jimmy Lai found a sense of freedom and opportunity, though he often reflected on the hardships of his past. He described his first visit to the city’s markets as overwhelming, filled with abundance that contrasted sharply with his experiences in mainland China. These stories, passed down to Sebastien, were initially framed through a lens of hope and resilience. However, as he grew older, Sebastien began to grasp the deeper struggles his father faced during those formative years.#hong_kong #jimmy_lai #apple_daily #sebastien_lai #2019_hong_kong_protests
Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Tycoon Jimmy Lai Will Not Appeal Conviction Jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai has decided not to appeal his conviction under the city’s national security law. Members of his international legal team informed the BBC that domestic lawyers were explicitly instructed by Lai to abandon any appeal. The reasons for this decision were not disclosed, and the team declined further comment. Lai was found guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious material and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces—charges he has consistently denied. He received a 20-year prison sentence last month, marking the most severe punishment under the national security law since its implementation in 2020. A separate fraud conviction, which carried a six-year sentence, was overturned in a recent legal appeal. The national security case centered on a meeting Lai had with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Lai has maintained that the meeting was purely informational and unrelated to foreign policy influence. He has denied using his foreign contacts to interfere with Hong Kong’s affairs. Lai, a British citizen and founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is among the most prominent figures arrested under the national security law. His case has drawn global attention, with Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, praising the sentence as a necessary response to Lai’s “evil deeds.” Lee claimed the newspaper had radicalized young Hongkongers during the protests. International critics, including the United Nations’ human rights chief Volker Türk, have condemned the conviction, calling it incompatible with international law. Türk urged the verdict to be “promptly quashed.#jimmy_lai #john_lee #mike_pence #mike_pompeo #volker_turk
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
