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Jimmy Lai trial: closing arguments begin in Hong Kong trial of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai trial: closing arguments in Hong Kong delayed by aftermath of Typhoon Podul
(about 5 hours later)
Lai has been detained since December 2020, with western nations and rights groups calling for his releaseLai has been detained since December 2020, with western nations and rights groups calling for his release
Jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai’s national security trial, which began in late 2023, will enter its final stages on Thursday as lawyers present closing arguments. The closing arguments in the national security trial against jailed Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai were postponed on Thursday after the Asian financial hub issued its highest-level “black” weather warning, stemming from ex-typhoon Podul.
The 77-year-old founder of the Apple Daily newspaper is charged with foreign collusion under Hong Kong’s national security law, which Beijing imposed following huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019. Queues had formed outside the court for the public gallery, but torrential rain saw the closing arguments in the trial, which began in late 2023, delayed. Proceedings are expected to resume on Friday.
The rain came from Typhoon Podul, which hit Taiwan hundreds of kilometres to the east before weakening to a tropical storm on Wednesday.
The 77-year-old founder of the Apple Daily newspaper was charged with foreign collusion under Hong Kong’s national security law, which Beijing imposed following huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Lai has been kept behind bars since December 2020, reportedly in solitary confinement, with Western nations and rights groups calling for his release.Lai has been kept behind bars since December 2020, reportedly in solitary confinement, with Western nations and rights groups calling for his release.
Aside from the collusion offence – which could land him in prison for life – Lai is also charged with “seditious publication” related to 161 op-eds he allegedly wrote. Aside from the collusion offence – which could land him in prison for life – Lai was also charged with “seditious publication” related to 161 op-eds he allegedly wrote.
The tycoon gave spirited courtroom testimony over more than 50 days during the trial, fielding questions about his political ideology, management style and overseas contacts.The tycoon gave spirited courtroom testimony over more than 50 days during the trial, fielding questions about his political ideology, management style and overseas contacts.
Lai described himself at least twice as a “political prisoner”, which drew sharp rebukes from the three-judge panel.Lai described himself at least twice as a “political prisoner”, which drew sharp rebukes from the three-judge panel.
Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly rejected criticism related to Lai, saying last month that his case was “handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law”.Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly rejected criticism related to Lai, saying last month that his case was “handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law”.
Antoine Bernard of Reporters Without Borders said on Tuesday that Lai’s treatment “exposes the authorities’ ruthless determination to silence and suppress one of the most prominent advocates for press freedom amid Hong Kong’s rapidly deteriorating media landscape”.Antoine Bernard of Reporters Without Borders said on Tuesday that Lai’s treatment “exposes the authorities’ ruthless determination to silence and suppress one of the most prominent advocates for press freedom amid Hong Kong’s rapidly deteriorating media landscape”.
Prosecutors showed the court a diagram titled “(Lai’s) external political connections”, arguing that he had exerted influence in the United States, Britain and Taiwan.Prosecutors showed the court a diagram titled “(Lai’s) external political connections”, arguing that he had exerted influence in the United States, Britain and Taiwan.
It featured headshots of top US political figures, including president Donald Trump, his former deputy Mike Pence and ex-secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen was also among those named.It featured headshots of top US political figures, including president Donald Trump, his former deputy Mike Pence and ex-secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen was also among those named.
Two prosecution witnesses, Chan Tsz-wah and Andy Li, also accused Lai of financially backing the advocacy group “Stand With Hong Kong” to run overseas newspaper ads supporting the 2019 protests.Two prosecution witnesses, Chan Tsz-wah and Andy Li, also accused Lai of financially backing the advocacy group “Stand With Hong Kong” to run overseas newspaper ads supporting the 2019 protests.
Lai has denied calling for sanctions against China and Hong Kong and said he never advocated separatism.Lai has denied calling for sanctions against China and Hong Kong and said he never advocated separatism.
Four other people who held senior roles in Apple Daily were called upon by prosecutors to testify about how Lai shaped the outlet’s political stance.Four other people who held senior roles in Apple Daily were called upon by prosecutors to testify about how Lai shaped the outlet’s political stance.
The mogul said his newspaper championed democracy and freedom, adding that he had always disavowed violence.The mogul said his newspaper championed democracy and freedom, adding that he had always disavowed violence.
“The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong... (including) rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly,” Lai said on the first day of his testimony.“The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong... (including) rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly,” Lai said on the first day of his testimony.
Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of its senior editors.Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of its senior editors.
Lai is a British citizen and his son Sebastien reiterated in March calls for British prime minister Keir Starmer to do more, saying: “I don’t want my father to die in jail.”Lai is a British citizen and his son Sebastien reiterated in March calls for British prime minister Keir Starmer to do more, saying: “I don’t want my father to die in jail.”
Judges have indicated that a verdict could be reached by October.Judges have indicated that a verdict could be reached by October.