Jimmy Lai jailed for 20 years in Hong Kong

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of foreign collusion and sedition charges under Hong Kong's national security law. Eighteen years of his sentence will run consecutively with a separate case.

Lai, age 78, was accused of using his newspaper, Apple Daily, to incite foreign sanctions against China and to promote hatred against authorities. He was denied his choice of lawyer and did not present a mitigation letter.

The verdict has drawn international condemnation, with calls for his release from various human rights organizations. Critics argue that the ruling reflects a significant decline in press freedom in Hong Kong.