Media mogul and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai’s trial began on Monday amidst heavy security and a large turnout of supporters outside the Hong Kong court. Lai is facing charges of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and could potentially be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
The high-profile trial, expected to last several months, is part of the Hong Kong government’s crackdown on opposition and has drawn widespread condemnation from rights groups and other governments. Lai, a 76-year-old pro-democracy activist and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, is also accused of conspiring to publish seditious material.
Lai, who has been in jail since December 2020 serving a sentence of over five years on fraud charges, appeared in court on Monday wearing a grey suit jacket. He waved to the public gallery and smiled at his supporters before the trial began.
The trial attracted a large police presence in anticipation of potential protests, as well as a sizable number of supporters and observers who lined up outside the court. The UK foreign secretary and former prime minister, David Cameron, condemned the “politically motivated prosecution” and called for Lai’s release. The US state department also criticized the trial and called for Lai’s release, along with others imprisoned for defending their rights.
The national security law, imposed by Beijing in June 2020 in response to the mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, has led to the arrest of hundreds of people for acts of sedition, secession, foreign collusion, and terrorism. Critics have accused Hong Kong authorities of using the law as a tool to suppress dissent.
Despite international criticism, Hong Kong authorities remain steadfast in their pursuit of convictions under the national security law, with the security chief praising the 100% conviction rate. Lai’s trial is expected to shed light on the impact of the controversial law on freedom of expression and association in Hong Kong.