Verdict Expected Monday in Jimmy Lai’s National Security Trial

A Hong Kong court is set to announce a verdict on Monday in the national security trial of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai. This case has drawn significant attention and criticism as a possible indicator of the diminishing political freedoms in the city. Lai, who recently turned 78, faces charges of foreign collusion under the national security law that Beijing imposed following extensive and often violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper has been incarcerated since late 2020, reportedly in solitary confinement. The verdict reading is scheduled to start at 10:00 am local time on Monday, October 30, 2023, as confirmed by a court diary notice. In anticipation of the ruling, journalists have already begun queuing outside the West Kowloon courthouse for a chance to witness the proceedings. Previous hearings have attracted numerous supporters and media representatives, with some attendees having to watch from a separate location due to limited courtroom capacity.

In addition to the collusion charges, which could lead to a life sentence, Lai is also accused of “seditious publication.” Prosecutors have cited 161 items, including opinion pieces authored by Lai, as evidence against him. The Apple Daily was forced to shut down in 2021 amid police raids and the arrests of several senior editors.

The trial, which commenced in December 2023, has faced condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations. The group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed its outrage on Friday regarding the “short notice announcement” of the verdict, labeling the trial as “arbitrary and unlawful.”

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The trial can only be described as a sham and has nothing to do with the rule of law,”

RSF stated, urging the United Kingdom and United States to advocate for Lai’s release. The organization emphasized that this verdict will significantly influence not only Lai’s future but also the state of press freedom in Hong Kong.

In response to the backlash, Hong Kong authorities have maintained that Lai’s case is being handled fairly, based strictly on evidence and legal protocols. Throughout the trial, Lai has defended his political beliefs, often referring to himself as a “political prisoner,” a claim that has provoked admonitions from the judges. He has also denied accusations of calling for sanctions against China and Hong Kong, asserting that he never promoted separatism or violence.

“The core values of Apple Daily are, in fact, the core values of the people of Hong Kong,” Lai testified, emphasizing the importance of rule of law, freedom, democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly.

As a British citizen, Lai’s family has raised concerns about his health while in prison. The Hong Kong government responded last week, stating that prison authorities manage Lai’s custodial conditions similarly to other inmates. According to a government spokesperson, “Lai Chee-ying’s legal representatives have also made clear that he has all along been receiving appropriate treatment and care in prison.”

The forthcoming verdict is poised to have far-reaching implications, not only for Lai but for the broader landscape of media freedom in Hong Kong. As the world watches closely, the outcome of this trial could serve as a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about the future of civil liberties in the region.