Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty to national security crimes
Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to “sedition” and “collusion” charges in a high-profile national security trial that could see him jailed for life. The charges against Lai –- founder of the now-shuttered popular Chinese-language tabloid Apple Daily –- revolve around the newspaper’s publications, which supported pro-democracy protests and criticised Beijing’s leadership.
The 76-year-old is accused of two counts of colluding with foreign forces by calling for international sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials.
“Not guilty,” Lai said in English for each of the three charges read out. Wearing a white shirt and a navy blue jacket, the septuagenarian was surrounded by three prison guards in the defendant’s dock. His wife and some of his children sat in the courtroom gallery, which was packed with reporters and members of the public.
Lai’s trial, which began in late 2023 after he was jailed for more than 1,100 days, is being closely watched as a barometer of Hong Kong’s political freedoms and judicial independence.
Other defendants in the case include three Apple Daily companies that have been taken over by the Hong Kong government, six former executives of the newspaper and two young activists related to an advocacy group called Stand With Hong Kong Fight For Freedom
Source: eNCA
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