Hong Kong democracy figure Jimmy Lai, known for a rebel stance against Beijing, went on trial after being arrested under national security charges. Lai, facing potential life imprisonment, led pro-democracy protests and published an antigovernment newspaper. The trial's high-profile nature poses a test for Hong Kong's judicial system under Beijing's security law. Security remains tight around the courthouse amid public outcry and international condemnation.
Hong Kong democracy figure Jimmy Lai is standing trial after a long delay. Lai, who published an antigovernment newspaper, faces life in prison if convicted on national security charges. He was a proud rebel, founding a newspaper with an anti-Beijing slant and being a prominent face at pro-democracy protests. He was arrested in 2020 and is finally having his day in court after three years. The trial is expected to run for 80 days, and Lai is currently serving a five-year sentence for a separate fraud case. The authorities have used the national security law to silence dissent across the city, shutting down independent media, ousting pro-democracy lawmakers, and quashing demonstrations. Lai faces charges of colluding with foreign forces and sedition based on remarks he made online and articles his newspaper published. His prosecution has been criticized for violations of his right to a fair trial. The trial will be a high-profile test of how Hong Kong’s judicial system will interpret and enforce Beijing’s national security law. Lai, who was born on the mainland and moved to Hong Kong at age 12, became a publisher after the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. He angered the authorities by insulting the Chinese premier and decided to focus on publishing. In the past decade, he became Hong Kong’s main opposition media figure, giving blanket coverage to pro-democracy protests. His outlets have been raided, and his newspaper was forced to close in 2021 after several top editors and writers were charged. Lai has been in prison for three years, and his son is lobbying Western officials for his release.
Hong Kong democracy figure Jimmy Lai is standing trial after a long delay. Lai, who published an antigovernment newspaper, faces life in prison if convicted on national security charges. He was a proud rebel, founding a newspaper with an anti-Beijing slant and being a prominent face at pro-democracy protests. He was arrested in 2020 and is finally having his day in court after three years. The trial is expected to run for 80 days, and Lai is currently serving a five-year sentence for a separate fraud case. The authorities have used the national security law to silence dissent across the city, shutting down independent media, ousting pro-democracy lawmakers, and quashing demonstrations. Lai faces charges of colluding with foreign forces and sedition based on remarks he made online and articles his newspaper published. His prosecution has been criticized for violations of his right to a fair trial. The trial will be a high-profile test of how Hong Kong’s judicial system will interpret and enforce Beijing’s national security law. Lai, who was born on the mainland and moved to Hong Kong at age 12, became a publisher after the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. He angered the authorities by insulting the Chinese premier and decided to focus on publishing. In the past decade, he became Hong Kong’s main opposition media figure, giving blanket coverage to pro-democracy protests. His outlets have been raided, and his newspaper was forced to close in 2021 after several top editors and writers were charged. Lai has been in prison for three years, and his son is lobbying Western officials for his release.