Jimmy Lai Denies Foreign Collusion Accusations in High-Stakes National Security Trial

Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure in Hong Kong, has given his initial court testimony in a national security trial where he faces a potential life sentence. The 76-year-old founder of the no-longer-operating Hong Kong tabloid Apple Daily faces accusations of foreign collusion. However, Lai informed the court on Wednesday that he had “never” leveraged his international connections, such as ex-US VP Mike Pence and former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, to impact foreign policy concerning Hong Kong. Lai is currently incarcerated for various offenses stemming from his alleged involvement in pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019, events that prompted China to implement a comprehensive national security law (NSL) in the territory. His court appearance follows by one day the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists, who are part of a collective referred to as the Hong Kong 47. Dressed in a brown jacket and glasses, Lai smiled and gestured to his family and members of the public upon entering the courtroom, appearing to be in good spirits, despite visible weight loss since his apprehension several years prior. Outside the judicial building, scores of individuals queued to demonstrate their backing for the media magnate. A comparable assembly of people had convened on Tuesday for the sentencing of the Hong Kong 47, a group that comprised several leading figures in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, including Benny Tai and Joshua Wong. In response to inquiries about whether he had attempted to sway foreign policy regarding Hong Kong via his network of international contacts – which features individuals such as former Taiwan president Tsai and senior US officials – Lai responded “never”. When questioned about his encounter with then US Vice President Mike Pence, Lai stated he made no requests of him. “I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me,” he informed the court. He was additionally questioned about his meeting with then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to which he responded that he had requested of Pompeo: “Not to do something but to say something, To voice support for Hong Kong.” Lai is among hundreds of activists, legislators, and demonstrators apprehended under the NSL, a law Beijing asserts was essential to suppress the civil unrest that arose in Hong Kong in 2019. During its regular press briefing on Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized Lai, labeling him the “main plotter and participant of the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong”. Beijing views Mr Lai as a traitor who aimed to jeopardize China’s security. Conversely, detractors contend that Mr Lai’s situation represents further evidence of Beijing’s increasing control over the former British territory. In his current trial, Lai has entered a plea of not guilty to two conspiracy charges involving foreign collusion and a third charge pertaining to his tabloid newspaper Apple Daily, which stands accused of disseminating seditious content against the government subsequent to the implementation of the national security law. Lai asserted his opposition to violence and stated he “never allowed” his newspaper’s employees to promote Hong Kong independence, which he characterized as a “conspiracy” and “too crazy to think about”. He further stated, “The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong.” These principles, he mentioned, encompass the “rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly.” The tabloid, which discontinued its operations a year following Lai’s arrest, was recognized for its pro-democracy position. In 2021, officials froze Apple Daily’s financial accounts and detained essential personnel, asserting that its articles contravened the National Security Law. The legal proceedings against Lai, a British citizen, have garnered global attention, with human rights organizations and international governments advocating for his liberation. US President-elect Donald Trump declared in a podcast in October that he would “100%” secure Lai’s release from China. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has designated Lai as a “priority” for his administration, conveyed worries regarding Lai’s “deterioration” during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro this week. Lai’s relatives and legal representatives have voiced apprehension about his well-being, citing his weight reduction and growing feebleness observed during his recent court proceedings. Lai had previously received prison sentences for offenses such as unauthorized assembly and fraud, and has been kept in solitary confinement since late 2020. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.