Jimmy Lai, one in every of Hong Kong’s most influential democrats, will seem in a nationwide safety trial on Wednesday that would see him sentenced to life in jail.
The 76-year-old founding father of now-defunct Hong Kong tabloid Apple Every day has been accused of colluding with overseas powers to make use of his media platform in opposition to the federal government.
That is the primary time he has testified in courtroom, though he has been tried a number of instances since 2020 – all of that are extensively seen as politically motivated as Beijing tightens its grip on Hong Kong.
Jimmy Lai mentioned on Wednesday that Apple Every day represents Hong Kong’s values, together with “freedom” [and the] Pursue democracy.
His listening to got here in the future after 45 pro-democracy activists sentenced – Half of what’s known as an “group” Hong Kong 47 ——Below the most important trial within the metropolis Controversial National Security Law.
Lai’s ongoing trial entails allegations that Apple Every day revealed articles supporting pro-democracy protests that rocked the town in 2019, which Beijing seen as a risk to nationwide stability.
Jimmy Lai mentioned on Wednesday that he opposed violence and that advocating for Hong Kong’s independence was “too loopy to think about.”
He added: “The core values of Apple Every day are literally the core values of Hong Kong folks.”
These values embrace “the rule of legislation, freedom, the pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of faith, freedom of meeting,” he mentioned.
Jimmy Lai was beforehand jailed on expenses together with unauthorized meeting and fraud and has been in solitary confinement for the reason that finish of 2020.
Dozens of individuals lined up outdoors the courthouse on Wednesday morning to point out help for the media mogul.
An identical crowd gathered on Tuesday to await the sentencing of 47 folks in Hong Kong, together with among the largest names in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy motion together with Benny Benny and Joshua Wong.
The prosecution of Jimmy Lai, who holds British citizenship, has drawn worldwide consideration, with rights teams and overseas governments urging his launch.
US President-elect Donald Trump mentioned in a podcast in October that he would “100%” let Jimmy Lai depart China – an announcement that was met with requires “mutual respect” from Hong Kong chief Lee Ka-chiu.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer descriptive Issues about Lai’s “deterioration” had been expressed throughout a gathering with Chinese language President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of this week’s G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, as a “precedence” for his authorities.
Lai’s household and authorized group have expressed considerations about his well being, pointing to his weight reduction and growing frailty throughout latest courtroom appearances.
