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In February 2026, Hong Kong saw developments in two landmark national security cases: the courts sentenced pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai and his former newsroom staff, and dismissed the appeal of all 12 activists who challenged their convictions or sentences in the “Hong Kong 47” case.
Cardinal Zen and Jimmy Lai’s wife Teresa arrive at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on February 9, 2026, ahead of the sentencing of the pro-democracy media tycoon. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.The city also witnessed the sentencing of democrat Anna Kwok’s father. The 69-year-old was found guilty of handling funds linked to an “absconder,” marking the first time the family member of a wanted activist has been convicted of a national security offence.
Jimmy Lai and his newsroom staff sentenced
On February 9, pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in jail following his conviction on foreign collusion and sedition charges.
Lai was convicted in December under the national security law, which Beijing imposed in June 2020 following the 2019 pro-democracy protests and unrest. He was accused of using his tabloid, Apple Daily, to lobby foreign nations to impose sanctions, blockades, or other hostile activities upon China and Hong Kong. He was also accused of inciting hatred against the authorities with 161 op-eds published in the now-shuttered newspaper.
Lai received his sentence alongside eight defendants, including six former Apple Daily executives and two activists.
Police outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on February 9, 2026, ahead of the sentencing of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.Publisher Cheung Kim-hung received six years and nine months behind bars, associate publisher Chan Pui-man got seven years, and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee was sentenced to seven years and three months. Meanwhile, editor-in-chief Ryan Law, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, and editorial writer Fung Wai-kong all received 10-year jail terms.
Cheung, Chan and Yeung had testified against Lai in exchange for shorter sentences.
Two former activists linked to the international lobby group Stand with Hong Kong, who also testified against Lai, were also jailed. Wayland Chan got six years and three months behind bars, whilst Andy Li received seven years and three months.
Reactions over sentencing of Apple Daily case
Following the sentencing of Lai and his former newsroom staff, the head of the police’s national security department said authorities are “still investigating some matters.”
Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities hailed the 20-year jail term delivered to the pro-democracy media tycoon, with the city’s leader John Lee saying Lai had done “evil deeds beyond measure.”
Chief Executive John Lee at a press conference on January 27, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.Neither the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) nor the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) posted statements on the jailing.
International NGOs condemned the sentencing. “This court decision underscores the complete collapse of press freedom in Hong Kong and the authorities’ profound contempt for independent journalism…” Director General of NGO Reporters Without Borders said.
3 Apple Daily companies to be de-registered
The Hong Kong government had begun the process to de-register three companies linked to the Apple Daily newspaper and list them as “prohibited organisations,” authorities said on February 12.
The move comes after media mogul Lai was jailed for 20 years in the high-profile national security case.
Apple Daily’s final edition dated June 24, 2021. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP.According to a statement on Wednesday, Secretary for Security Chris Tang has issued notices to three firms – Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited – informing them of the deregistration.
The three companies, which are already insolvent, were tried and convicted alongside Lai, and were fined HK$3,004,500 each.
Appeal of prominent activists dismissed
On February 23, a Hong Kong court dismissed the appeals of all 12 activists who challenged their convictions or jail terms in the city’s landmark national security case.
Ex-district councillor Lester Shum, who was jailed in the 47 democrats case but has completed his jail term, outside West Kowloon Law Courts Building on February 23, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Ex-district councillor Fergus Leung, who was jailed in the 47 democrats case but has completed his jail term, outside West Kowloon Law Courts Building on February 23, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.The 12 defendants were led into the dock shortly before the hearing began at 10am. Many appeared spirited, smiling and waving to a packed public gallery where their friends and family members were seated.
Meanwhile, the judges rejected the government’s appeal against barrister and democracy activist Lawrence Lau’s acquittal, meaning he remains cleared of his charge.
Father of wanted activist jailed
On February 26, the father of Hong Kong democrat Anna Kwok was jailed for eight months after being found guilty of handling funds linked to an “absconder.” His case marks the first time the family member of a wanted activist to be convicted of a national security offence.
US-based pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok. Photo: Anna Kwok, via Facebook.He was accused of attempting to obtain funds from an AIA International life and personal accident insurance policy that belonged to his daughter, Anna Kwok, who lives in the US. In 2023, Hong Kong’s national security police issued her and seven other self-exiled activists an arrest warrant for suspected foreign collusion.
Handling an absconder’s funds is an offence under the city’s homegrown security law, also known as Article 23.
Sedition cases linked to Tai Po fire
In mid-February, police declined to disclose the number of people arrested for suspected sedition in connection with the deadly Tai Po fire in November.
University student Miles Kwan speaks to reporters outside Tai Po MTR Station on November 28, 2025. He is arrested later for seditious intention. Photo: HKFP.Andrew Kan, deputy police commissioner for national security, said on February 11 that three people have been charged under Article 23, Hong Kong’s local national security law, over comments relating to the Wang Fuk Court fire.
The three are among an unspecified number of people who were arrested for “committing acts with seditious intent” under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, also known as Article 23, following the deadly blaze that killed 168 people.
New certificate regime for teachers
Hong Kong government in February proposed a new certification regime for teachers at publicly funded or international schools, which would require renewal every three years.
Under the policy, teachers would need to fulfil a certain number of training hours and declare they will obey Hong Kong law – including national security laws – in order to renew the certification.
Schoolchildren interact with “Security Bear,” a mascot of the Security Bureau, during the premiere of a national security-themed interactive drama at City Hall on November 11, 2025. Photo: GovHK.Christine Choi, the education minister, told reporters on Thursday that authorities hoped to amend the Education Ordinance this year to introduce the new certification for teachers in 2027, local media reported.
‘Political acumen’ needed for two gov’t posts
The Hong Kong government launched open recruitment for two directorate-level jobs, listing “political acumen” as an entry requirement in the job postings, according to vacancy announcements.
Notices for the positions of director of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and director of the Information Services Department (ISD) were published on February 11.
Both positions also require “a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test.”
Prosecution and arrests figures
As of March 1, a total of 389 people have been arrested for “cases involving suspected acts or activities that endanger national security” since Beijing’s national security law came into effect, according to the Security Bureau. That figure includes those arrested under Article 23.
Of the 208 people and five companies that have so far been charged, 179 people and four companies have been convicted or are awaiting sentencing.
In total, 98 people and four companies have been charged under Beijing’s national security law, with 79 persons and three companies convicted. 13 people have been charged under Article 23, nine of whom have been convicted.
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