Pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of national security offences in Hong Kong.
The media tycoon and British citizen was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials in December last year.
The 78-year-old had denied all the charges against him, saying in court he was a "political prisoner" facing persecution from Beijing.
His lawyer gave no comment when asked if he would appeal his sentence.
Lai, who founded the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested in August 2020 after China imposed a national security law following massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
The longstanding critic of the Chinese Communist Party had previously been sentenced for several lesser offences during his five years in prison.
Lai's plight has been criticised by world leaders including US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir
Starmer.
Sir Keir discussed the case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, according to people briefed on the talks.
Britain's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, were also present.
"I raised the case of Jimmy Lai and called for his release," Sir Keir told MPs in parliament after his trip. "Those discussions will continue, and the foreign secretary is in touch with Mr Lai's family."
Several Western diplomats told Reuters news agency that negotiations to free Lai would likely start in earnest after his sentencing and depending on whether he will appeal.
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