A number of the former executives, alongside two others who additionally pleaded responsible to collusion fees, are anticipated to testify as witnesses for the prosecution of Lai.
Exterior the court docket constructing, there was a heavy police presence. Dozens of residents queued as much as attend the listening to hours earlier than its begin.
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who based native newspaper Apple Every day, coming into a court docket in Hong Kong in 2020.Credit score: AP
Jolly Chung, 29, was among the many first within the line, saying she would attempt to get in to look at the proceedings every time she will.
“As a Hong Konger, I wish to witness this, despite the fact that I do know he’ll lose,” she stated.
Andy Sung, in his 40s, stated he got here to witness historical past. “Selecting to come back here’s a small follow of some form of resistance,” he stated.
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Professional-democracy activist Alexandra Wong, popularly often called “Grandma Wong,” was blocked from approaching the court docket constructing by the police.
“Help Jimmy Lai, assist the Apple Every day, assist the reality,” she chanted.
Lai’s trial was initially scheduled to start out final December however was postponed whereas the Hong Kong authorities appealed to Beijing to successfully block his try to rent a British defence lawyer. Metropolis authorities subsequently barred the lawyer, Timothy Owen, from representing Lai, saying it will possible pose nationwide safety dangers.
Final week, Lai’s son Sebastien met with Britain’s overseas secretary, David Cameron, to foyer for Britain’s assist in releasing his father, who holds British citizenship.
Cameron stated in an announcement that the safety legislation is a “clear breach” of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and its continued use exhibits China has damaged its worldwide commitments.
British and Chinese language authorities signed the settlement in 1984, stipulating that Hong Kong would retain a excessive diploma of autonomy and freedoms for 50 years.
Cameron stated he was significantly involved by the “politically motivated prosecution” of Lai. He urged Chinese language officers to repeal the safety legislation and launch Lai.
“Jimmy Lai has been focused in a transparent try to cease the peaceable train of his rights to freedom of expression and affiliation,” Cameron stated.
The US condemned the prosecution of Lai and urged authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing to respect press freedom, US State Division spokesperson Matthew Miller stated.
“We name on Hong Kong authorities to instantly launch Jimmy Lai and all others imprisoned for defending their rights,” he stated.
The chairpersons of the US Congressional-Government Fee on China stated in an announcement that the trial is a “political prosecution plain and easy and one other unhappy instance of the Hong Kong authorities’s more and more repressive insurance policies.” Additionally they known as for Lai’s launch and urged authorities to drop the costs in opposition to him.
Hong Kong, as soon as seen as a bastion of media freedom in Asia, ranked a hundred and fortieth out of 180 international locations and territories in Reporters With out Borders’ newest World Press Freedom Index. The group stated the town had seen an “unprecedented setback” since 2020, when the safety legislation was imposed.
On-line information outlet Stand Information, recognized for its brazenly vital stance in opposition to the Hong Kong authorities, was compelled to close down underneath the crackdown, with its two former high editors being charged with sedition.
The governments of each Hong Kong and China have hailed the legislation for bringing again stability to the town.
AP
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