Ex-Apple Daily executive first to appeal sentence in landmark Hong Kong trial
South China Morning Post
by Jess MaMarch 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A former senior executive of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong has become the first person to appeal a 10-year prison sentence handed down in a landmark trial involving national security offenses. Fung Wai-kong, who served as the managing editor of Apple Daily’s English edition, filed his appeal with the city’s High Court on Monday. His case is part of a broader legal saga that has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of Apple Daily and its former staff.
Fung was sentenced in December 2021 alongside other executives from Apple Daily, which was shut down by Hong Kong authorities in 2020 under the National Security Law. The law, implemented after the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Fung’s 10-year sentence was part of a series of harsh penalties handed down to those involved in the case, including the paper’s founder, who received a 20-year prison term.
The appeal comes as Hong Kong continues to grapple with the implications of the National Security Law and its impact on media freedom. Critics argue that the law has chilled free expression in the city and targeted outlets like Apple Daily for their critical reporting. Fung’s decision to challenge his sentence marks an important moment in this ongoing legal and political battle, as it sets a precedent for how appeals related to national security cases will be handled.
For readers interested in global affairs, this case highlights the broader concerns about media suppression under national security laws and the potential erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong. It also underscores the challenges faced by journalists and publishers operating in environments where political and legal risks are increasingly intertwined with their work.
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 3/3/2026