Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday, February 9, 2026, after being found guilty under China's national security law, according to NPR Politics and The Associated Press. The 78-year-old activist and publisher, a staunch critic of Beijing, received the longest punishment yet under the law, which has largely silenced dissent in the city.
Lai was convicted in December of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security, as well as conspiracy to publish seditious articles, according to The Associated Press. The maximum penalty for his conviction was not specified in the provided sources.
The sentencing comes as the historical drama "The King's Warden" debuted at No. 1 at the South Korean box office, earning 4.9 million from 761,832 admissions between Friday and Sunday, according to Variety. Meanwhile, in the world of entertainment, Lee Jun-ho, the K-drama star, is plotting his next reinvention as a villain in Veteran 3, following the success of Netflix superhero series "Cashero," which hit No. 2 globally and cracked the Top 10 in over 70 countries, according to Variety.
The news of Lai's sentencing was reported by multiple sources, including NPR Politics, which noted that audio of the sentencing would be available later in the day. The Associated Press highlighted Lai's history as a pro-democracy figure and his criticism of Beijing.
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