Hong Kong (AP) – Hong Kong Court began hearing final arguments on Monday A groundbreaking national security trial Jimmy Ly, former founder of the Democratic Newspaper, could face a life sentence in prison if convicted.
The 77-year-old Lai was arrested in 2020 under the national security law imposed by Beijing following the anti-government protests in 2019. He is being tried Fee He conspired with foreign forces to risk national security and conspired with others to publish inflammatory publications.
Lye has founded Apple Daily, one of the most important local media outlets to the Hong Kong government. His Famous Case – Already close to 150 days, extending well beyond the original estimated 80 days – is widely seen as a test of press freedom trials and judicial independence in Asian financial hubs.
Prosecutor Appeal Lai asked foreign countries, particularly the United States, to take action against Beijing “in the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy.”
On the first day of his testimony he He denied what he asked Then-President Mike Pence and then-State Secretary Mike Pompeo took action against Hong Kong and China during the 2019 protests.
When Lai’s lawyers later questioned him about the Apple Daily report that he had asked the US government to sanction the leaders in Beijing and Hong Kong, he said he must have argued it with Pompeo, as there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of the report by the now-extinct newspaper he had established.
However, Lai said he did not encourage foreign sanctions after the National Security Act was enacted on June 30, 2020.
The final discussion is delayed twice, first according to LAI’s health concerns due to the weather. On Friday, his lawyer, Robert Pan, told Lai. I experienced a heart movement pit While in prison. The judges wanted him to secure a cardiac monitor and medication first.
After Friday’s hearing, the Hong Kong government alleged that foreign media had tried to mislead the public about Lai’s medical care. The LAI medical checkup found no abnormalities and said the medical care he received during his custody was appropriate.
It is unclear when the verdict will be delivered.
As Rai entered the courtroom he waved and smiled at the people sitting in the public gallery. He also briefly directed his legal team in a voice that could be heard by the public. But when the prosecutor decided on a legal argument, he closed his eyes.
Prosecutor Anthony Chau said the heart monitor was delivered to Rai and there was no complaints about his health.
The long-standing detention of LAI has raised concerns from foreign governments and rights groups, particularly in solidarity confinement. US President Donald Trump said he would say “100% of the time I’ll give him out” to seek Lai’s release before being elected for a second term in November.
in Fox News Radio Interview Released last Thursday, Trump said he would save “100%” on LAI, but denied that he would bring up the issue. “I’ve already raised it, and I’m going to do everything I can to save him,” he said.
China accused Lai of stirring up an increase in anti-China sentiment in Hong Kong, and said it was firmly opposed to other countries’ interference in its domestic affairs.
Dozens of people were waiting for their main courtroom seats to watch Rai in the rain Monday. Former Apple Daily reader Susan Li says he is worried about Lai’s health as he looked visibly thin, and she will continue to pray for him.
“I wanted to let him know we were still here,” she said.
When Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to China in 1997, Beijing promised to maintain the city’s civil liberties for 50 years.
However, critics say the promises have become threadbears after the introduction of security laws that Chinese and Hong Kong authorities argue are necessary for the city to stabilize.
