Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai has commenced his trial over alleged national security violations, just hours after the United Kingdom added its voice to demands for his immediate release. Lai, who has been detained since December 2020, appeared in court at 10am local time, facing charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign countries under a national security law imposed by China on the territory in June 2020.
Journalists inside the courtroom reported that the 76-year-old, clad in a blue shirt and carrying a book, seemed to have lost weight but was in good spirits. Lai, the founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily, is one of the most outspoken critics of China and was initially arrested in August 2020 when police stormed the newspaper's offices.
Originally scheduled for a year earlier, his trial was postponed after the government contested the choice of his defense lawyer, Timothy Owen from the UK, and sought intervention from Beijing. Lai, along with Apple Daily, also faces charges under a sedition law that dates back to the British colonial period. He has pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
David Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, expressed "grave concern" about Lai's trial in a statement released late Sunday, joining the United States and the European Union in their calls for Lai's release. Lai holds British citizenship. Cameron highlighted that the prosecution of Lai, a prominent journalist and publisher, was an obvious attempt to quash his peaceful expression and associational freedoms. The foreign secretary called on Chinese authorities to overturn the National Security Law and halt the prosecution of all individuals charged under it, and for Hong Kong's government to cease their prosecution and release Jimmy Lai.
Hong Kong's once dynamic pro-democracy movement, civil society, and media have faced increasing pressures following the mass protests of 2019, which emerged over an extradition bill with mainland China and grew into demands for broader democratic reforms.
The court made 70 seats available to the public, with some people lining up from the night before to secure a spot. A year after its implementation, Amnesty International stated that the security law had all but dismantled Hong Kong's fundamental freedoms and rights. The U.S. has also demanded Lai's immediate release and denounced the legal proceedings against him.
On Monday, security was heightened after Security Secretary Chris Tang indicated it was necessary because similar past cases had drawn individuals looking to disrupt the process and intimidate prosecutors. The public was eager for tickets, with only 70 seats in the main venue at the West Kowloon court building open to the public. Some officers were decked out in riot gear, while others were with dogs, and a bomb disposal vehicle stood ready nearby.
According to UK-based activist and founder of Hong Kong Liberty, Finn Lau, Lai's case symbolizes the exploitation of Hong Kong's legal system. He declared that the rule of law no longer existed in the region, stating that it had been replaced with a system of ruling by law instead.
Previously, Lai was found guilty and sentenced in separate cases related to managing Apple Daily and participating in a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. In June 2021, Apple Daily printed its last issue.
Other critical news outlets have also ceased operations, and the election system has been revamped to ensure only government-approved "patriots" can occupy public office.
Security was stringent with heavily armed police stationed near the court. The recent elections for district councils witnessed a record-low voter turnout of just 27.5 percent. The number of seats chosen through direct elections was dramatically reduced to 88 from the previous 462, and all candidates had to receive official approval before running.
As per Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, oppressive measures stifling press freedom and restricting information flow, as well as electoral system changes by Beijing and local authorities, have not only damaged Hong Kong's democratic institutions but also its reputation as an international business and finance hub.
