Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has announced he will not appeal his conviction and 20-year prison sentence. The 78-year-old critic of the Chinese Communist Party was convicted in December last year on charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, with the sentence handed down in February. Lai pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the penalty imposed on him is the harshest given for national security offences in Hong Kong.
A member of Lai's Hong Kong legal team stated: "We can confirm we have clear and definitive instructions not to lodge an appeal against conviction or sentence." This decision marks the end of a years-long legal saga and could open the door to political negotiations for his release. Lai's family has said the sentence could mean "he will die a martyr behind bars."
Western governments, including the UK, have described Lai's prosecution as politically motivated and called for his immediate release. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has said the verdict is incompatible with international law and must be quashed. However, Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended Lai's conviction, stating it is not related to press freedom.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is understood to have raised Lai's case in his recent meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. Yet, Lai's son Sebastien subsequently claimed the UK did not do enough to secure his father's release during the highly anticipated China trip. The conclusion of Lai's legal process could mark the start of a political effort to secure his freedom.
Lai's lawyers would not elaborate on why he is not appealing. A Hong Kong appellate court recently overturned separate fraud convictions against Lai, the sentences for which have already been served. Supporters of Lai have described the numerous legal cases brought against the former media mogul as "lawfare" – the use of the legal system to silence critics. US President Donald Trump is expected to visit China from March 31 to April 2; he previously said he asked Xi to "consider" releasing Lai, who had earlier stated Trump was "the only one who can save" Hong Kong from the tightening grip of the CCP.
Source: www.theguardian.com