The European Union has voiced strong condemnation over Hong Kong's recent sentencing of media magnate Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison on national security charges. According to Anita Hipper, the EU's spokesperson, there is an urgent need for Hong Kong authorities to restore trust in press freedom and cease the persecution of journalists. Lai's sentencing has escalated tensions between the West and authorities in Hong Kong, with global leaders now urging for his immediate release as reactions continue to mount.

Lai, the founder of the now-defunct newspaper 'Apple Daily', was convicted under a national security law imposed by Beijing. The law has been criticized internationally for its restrictive nature and is seen by many as a tool to suppress dissent. The conviction includes two counts of colluding with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials. Rights groups have decried the ruling as a "de facto death sentence," reflecting a significant regression of media freedom in Hong Kong.

At 78 years of age, Lai's sentence represents the harshest punishment handed down under the national security law, surpassing the previous record of a 10-year prison sentence given to lawyer Benny Tai in 2024. This case is emblematic of the broader crackdown on free expression and the press in Hong Kong, raising alarms about the future of democratic freedoms in the region and prompting calls from various international entities for accountability and change.