Hong Kong Jimmy Lai, a former Hong Kong publisher, started testifying on Wednesday in his historic national security trial, which is regarded as a test of judicial independence and press freedom in China.
Lai, who will turn 77 next month, wore a gray blazer and glasses as he entered the courtroom, smiling and waving at his relatives who were seated close to Cardinal Joseph Zen, the city’s Roman Catholic. The Catholic affirmed that his testimony will be truthful in court while holding up the Bible.
During a crackdown on large-scale pro-democracy rallies that shook Hong Kong beginning in 2019, Lai, the creator of the now-defunct Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, was detained in 2020. He is battling accusations of plotting to publish seditious material and collaborating with foreign entities to jeopardize national security. He could spend up to life behind bars if found guilty.
When the former British colony returned to Chinese authority in 1997, Beijing pledged to protect its civil freedoms for 50 years. However, detractors claim that under the guise of preserving national security, that pledge has become flimsy.
Many of the city’s most prominent campaigners, including Lai and 45 other democracy advocates who were sentenced to a pardon on Tuesday, were prosecuted by authorities using a national security law imposed by Beijing. Other pro-democracy activists were silenced or forced into self-exile. The threat of legal action has caused dozens of civil society organizations to dissolve.
The governments of Beijing and Hong Kong maintain that after the 2019 protests, the law brought stability back to the city.
Under the pretense of defending freedom and democracy, prosecutors have claimed that Lai asked other nations—particularly the United States—to take action against Beijing.
They cited Lai’s July 2019 talks with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Vice President Mike Pence, and senior U.S. lawmakers to negotiate a now-withdrawn extradition measure that sparked the widespread anti-government demonstrations. They claim that Lai asked the United States for help in imposing sanctions on Hong Kong and mainland Chinese leaders who repressed the movement.
Former Apple Daily reader William Wong was among the dozens of people who lined up in the rain on Wednesday morning to get a seat in the courtroom. He arrived at around six in the morning. Wong, 64, stated that he wished to remind Lai that he is still remembered by the people of Hong Kong.
It had been some months since I last saw him. He said, “I want to encourage him because I know he will testify himself.”
Lai’s release has been demanded by the US and UK governments as well as a panel of impartial UN human rights experts.
When asked on a podcast prior to the U.S. election if he would speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure Lai’s release, President-elect Donald Trump responded, “100%, I will get him out.”
According to Hong Kong leader John Lees, there should be no meddling in domestic matters and that respect for one another is crucial for the growth of economic relations. Some U.S. lawmakers were also chastised by Beijing for backing Lai.
During a meeting with Xi at the G20 summit in Brazil, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed concerns over the detention of Lai, a British national.
Chris Tang, the security minister for Hong Kong, insisted on Tuesday that the prosecution was grounded in the truth.
Sebastien Lai, Lai’s son, claimed on Friday that his father’s treatment in prison is cruel. In a statement issued by the British law firm Doughty Street Chambers, he stated, “My father, who is now 77, has been in solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison for almost four years.”
Some U.S. senators showed their support for the media tycoon by gathering with the younger Lai in a restaurant close to the U.S. Capitol in Washington on the eve of the court hearing.
Rights organizations and the media have also criticized the trial. Jodie Ginsber, the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, stated that this show trial needs to cease before it’s too late.
The government of Hong Kong denounced certain personnel of the legal firm on Sunday for allegedly disseminating false information. It stated that Lai requested and the jail administration authorized his separation from the other prisoners. It further said that judges in situations involving national security maintain their impartiality and independence.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!