Heightened security: Policemen standing guard outside the West Kowloon court ahead of Lai’s trial in Hong Kong. — AFP
A court rejected jailed pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai’s bid to throw out a charge of seditious publication in a trial that has attracted international attention.
The trial began Monday for Lai, who is charged with “collusion” with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law, a charge that carries a potential life sentence.
He is also accused of “conspiracy to produce seditious publications” – a colonial-era offence that has been revived after decades of disuse – which is considered a lesser charge as it carries a shorter jail sentence if convicted.
His lawyers earlier argued that the sedition charge should be tossed out as the prosecution began too late, beyond the six-month time limit stipulated by Hong Kong law.
“We are of the view the charge is not time-barred, so the application of the defence must fail,” Judge Esther Toh ruled yesterday.
The case has been adjourned to Jan 2.
Lai, 76, is the founder of the now-shuttered Chinese-language tabloid Apple Daily, which often criticised Beijing and supported the pro-democracy movement that roiled Hong Kong in 2019.
His case is being closely watched as a barometer of Hong Kong’s political freedoms and judicial independence.
Dozens of armed police were deployed around the Hong Kong court building yesterday, where activist Alexandra Wong was the sole protester expressing support for Lai.
Lai is a British citizen and his trial has sparked condemnation from the United States and the UK – which have both called for his release – as well as the European Union and United Nations. — AFP
