The trial of jailed Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai is nearing its conclusion as closing arguments are presented. Lai, a 77-year-old British citizen and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, has been in custody since December 2020 and faces charges of foreign collusion under Hong Kong’s national security law, as well as “seditious publication.”
The national security law was imposed by Beijing following the massive pro-democracy protests that swept the city in 2019. Lai, whose continued detention has drawn calls for his release from Western governments and human rights groups, could face a life sentence if convicted on the collusion charge. He also stands accused of “seditious publication” for 161 opinion pieces he allegedly authored.
During more than 50 days of court testimony, Lai fiercely defended his political ideology, management style, and overseas contacts. He twice referred to himself as a “political prisoner,” drawing sharp rebukes from the three-judge panel. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly rejected criticism of the case, stating last month that it is being “handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law.”
The prosecution’s case has centered on a diagram titled “(Lai’s) external political connections,” which it presented to the court to argue that Lai wielded influence in the United States, Britain, and Taiwan. The diagram included prominent political figures such as President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen.
Two prosecution witnesses, Chan Tsz-wah and Andy Li, testified that Lai financially supported the advocacy group “Stand With Hong Kong” to place newspaper advertisements overseas in support of the 2019 protests. In his defense, Lai denied calling for sanctions against China and Hong Kong, and stated he never advocated for separatism. He also maintained that Apple Daily championed democracy and freedom, and 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 testified on the first day of his testimony.
Lai’s newspaper was forced to close in 2021 after police raids and the arrests of its senior editors. His son, Sebastien Lai, reiterated calls in March for the Keir Starmer administration to take more action, saying, “I don’t want my father to die in jail.” A verdict is expected to be reached by October.
