Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years as Canada voices disappointment

Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in Hong Kong on Monday; Canada said it was disappointed and called for his immediate humanitarian release.

Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy media figure and founder of Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong on Monday. He was arrested in 2020 under charges related to collusion with foreign forces. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada is disappointed by the sentence and called for his immediate humanitarian release. MPs and press freedom advocates also condemned the ruling. Key facts: - Jimmy Lai received a 20-year prison sentence in Hong Kong on Monday. - Lai was arrested in 2020 and was convicted in December on charges including conspiring to collude with foreign forces and related offenses. - Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canada is disappointed and called for his immediate humanitarian release, citing his age and health. - Other international figures and press freedom groups publicly criticized the sentence and urged consideration of humanitarian measures. Summary: The sentencing has drawn diplomatic concern and criticism from press freedom advocates, highlighting continuing international attention to Hong Kong's security law cases. Undetermined at this time.