After 156 days of hearings, Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s case has ended with a stern decision. The former media boss was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Western media may call this harsh for a "democracy advocate" and "freedom fighter." However, the key fact is Lai was not on trial for his beliefs. He was convicted for a clear crime against national security, namely collusion. Collusion is a serious offense. His case serves as a strong example. Critics of the sentence should remember this important detail.