HONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark nationwide safety trial within the metropolis’s courtroom on Monday, which may ship him to jail for the remainder of his life.
Three government-vetted judges discovered Lai, 78, responsible of conspiring with others to collude with international forces to hazard nationwide safety and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He pleaded not responsible to all costs.
Lai was arrested in August 2020 underneath a Beijing-imposed nationwide safety legislation that was carried out following large anti-government protests in 2019. Lai has spent 5 years in custody, a lot of it in solitary confinement, and seems to have grown extra frail and thinner. He has additionally been convicted of a number of lesser offenses associated to fraud allegations and his actions in 2019.
Lai’s trial, carried out with out a jury, has been intently monitored by the U.S., Britain, the European Union and political observers as a barometer of media freedom and judicial independence within the former British colony, which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997.
Courtroom Mentioned Lai Spent Years Plotting In opposition to Beijing
Studying from an 855-page verdict, Decide Esther Toh stated that Lai had prolonged a “constant invitation” to the U.S. to assist deliver down the Chinese language authorities with the excuse of serving to Hong Kongers.
Lai’s attorneys admitted through the trial that he had referred to as for sanctions earlier than the legislation took impact, however insisted he dropped these calls to adjust to the legislation.
However the judges dominated that Lai had by no means wavered in his intention to destabilize the ruling Chinese language Communist Get together, “continuing though in a less explicit way.”
Toh stated the courtroom was happy that Lai was the mastermind of the conspiracies and that Lai’s proof was at occasions contradictory and unreliable. The judges dominated that the one cheap inference from the proof was that Lai’s solely intent, each earlier than and after the safety legislation, was to hunt the downfall of the ruling Communist Get together even on the sacrifice of the individuals of China and Hong Kong.
“This was the ultimate aim of the conspiracies and secessionist publications,” they wrote.
Among the many attendees have been Lai’s spouse and son, and Hong Kong’s Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen. Lai nodded to his household earlier than being escorted out of the courtroom.
His verdict can be a take a look at for Beijing’s diplomatic ties. U.S. President Donald Trump stated he has raised the case with China, and U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated his authorities has made it a precedence to safe the discharge of Lai, who’s a British citizen.
Lai May Face Life In Jail
The founding father of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Day by day can be sentenced on a later day.
The collusion cost carries a most penalty of life imprisonment. Hearings have been set to start Jan. 12 for Lai and different defendants within the case to argue for a shorter sentence.
The Apple Day by day, a vocal critic of the Hong Kong authorities and Beijing, was pressured to close in 2021 after police raided its newsroom and arrested its senior journalists, with authorities freezing its belongings.
Throughout Lai’s 156-day trial, prosecutors accused him of conspiring with senior executives of Apple Day by day and others to request international forces to impose sanctions or blockades and have interaction in different hostile actions in opposition to Hong Kong or China.
The prosecution additionally accused Lai of creating such requests, highlighting his conferences with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July 2019 on the peak of the protests.
It additionally introduced 161 publications, together with Apple Day by day articles, to the courtroom as proof, in addition to social media posts and textual content messages.
Lai testified for 52 days in his personal protection, arguing that he had not referred to as for international sanctions after the sweeping safety legislation was imposed in June 2020.
His authorized crew additionally argued for freedom of expression.
Health Considerations Raised Throughout Marathon Trial
Because the trial progressed, Lai’s well being gave the impression to be deteriorating.
Lai’s attorneys in August informed the courtroom that he suffered from coronary heart palpitations. After the decision, lawyer, Robert Pang, stated his shopper is in okay spirits because the authorized crew research the decision.
Earlier than the decision, his daughter Claire informed The Related Press that her father has turn into weaker and misplaced a few of his nails and enamel. She additionally stated he suffered from infections for months, together with fixed again ache, diabetes, coronary heart points and hypertension.
“His spirit is strong but his body is failing,” she stated.
Hong Kong’s authorities stated no abnormalities have been discovered throughout a medical examination that adopted Lai’s grievance of coronary heart issues. It added this month that the medical companies offered to him have been ample.
Hong Kong chief John Lee stated Lai harmed the basic pursuits of the nation, calling his intentions malicious.
Steve Li, chief superintendent of Hong Kong police’s Nationwide Safety Division, disputed claims of Lai’s worsening well being outdoors the courtroom constructing.
“Lai’s conviction is justice served,” he informed reporters.
U.Okay. And Rights Teams Slam End result, As China Defends It
U.Okay. Overseas Secretary Yvette Cooper stated on X that her nation condemned the politically motivated prosecution that resulted within the responsible verdict, saying it might proceed to name for his launch.
In Beijing, Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated China expressed agency opposition to the vilification of the town’s judiciary by “certain countries,” urging them to respect the town’s authorized system.
Rights teams, together with international media watchdog Reporters With out Borders and Amnesty Worldwide, criticized the decision.
“It is not an individual who has been on trial — it is press freedom itself, and with this verdict that has been shattered,” stated Reporters With out Borders’ director common Thibaut Bruttin.
However Hong Kong Secretary for Safety Chris Tang stated the decision has nothing to do with press freedom.
Earlier than dawn, dozens of residents queued outdoors the courtroom constructing to safe a courtroom seat.
Former Apple Day by day worker Tammy Cheung arrived at 5 a.m., saying she needed to learn about Lai’s situation after stories of his well being.
She stated she felt the method was being rushed because the verdict date was introduced solely final Friday, however added, “I’m relieved that this case can at least conclude soon.”
Related Press author Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong contributed to this report.
