Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media mogul and pro-democracy advocate, testified in court for the first time since his arrest nearly four years ago, asserting that his newspaper represented the freedoms valued by the city's residents.
At 77, Mr. Lai is one of the most prominent critics of China's ruling Communist Party. He faces charges of conspiring and colluding with "foreign forces" related to the anti-government protests that occurred in 2019. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated efforts to encourage foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China in response to governmental actions aimed at suppressing dissent.
Mr. Lai has pleaded not guilty and could face a life sentence if convicted.
For decades, Mr. Lai led the now-defunct Apple Daily, a newspaper known for advocating pro-democracy positions. The publication played a significant role during the 2019 protests, promoting slogans and urging public participation through editorials and cartoons.
While on the stand, Mr. Lai expressed that Apple Daily embodied the values of the Hong Kong populace, stating, "The more information you have, the more you’re in the know, the more you are free." His defense attorney inquired about the newspaper's core values, to which Mr. Lai replied: "Rule of law, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly."
Chinese authorities have accused Mr. Lai of promoting secession. During his testimony, he distanced himself from the independence movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan, labeling them as "crazy" and asserting that none of his staff supported such independence.
His trial follows recent sentences ranging from over four to ten years for 45 former pro-democracy lawmakers and activists, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong since Beijing enacted a national security law in 2020.
Prosecutors characterized Mr. Lai as a "radical political figure" involved in a global campaign to undermine Beijing's authority in Hong Kong, a city with a population exceeding seven million. He also faces a colonial-era sedition charge related to material published in his tabloid.
Supporters argue that Mr. Lai is merely exercising journalistic freedom and defending the democratic rights promised to Hong Kong upon its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. His son, Sebastien Lai, has been advocating for his father's release from abroad.
Concerns regarding Mr. Lai's health are escalating due to his age and diabetes, as he often spends 23 hours a day in solitary confinement. A recent report provided a rare glimpse into his prison life, showcasing him exercising alone within a high-fenced enclosure.
The Hong Kong government has stated that Mr. Lai is receiving "appropriate treatment and care" while in custody, noting that he requested solitary confinement.
Internationally, Western governments, including the United States and Britain, have condemned Mr. Lai’s detention and called for his release. The British Prime Minister recently expressed concern about Mr. Lai's deteriorating health during a conversation with China's leader, Xi Jinping.
The prosecution's case is partly based on Mr. Lai's public statements, including those made on social media and in interviews, appealing to foreign governments for support in pressuring China to fulfill its promises of greater democracy for Hong Kong.
As he entered the courtroom, Mr. Lai, dressed in a brown blazer with a green sweater, waved to his wife and daughter and spoke in a gravelly voice while being held in a glass enclosure flanked by security personnel.
Mr. Lai's journey from a successful immigrant to a key political figure was shaped significantly by the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. He transitioned into publishing by founding Next Magazine in 1990 and Apple Daily in 1995.
His son has expressed fears that he may never see his father again after the trial concludes, stating, "Who knows how much time he has left."