By KANIS LEUNG | Related Press
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 court docket on Monday, which might 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 below a Beijing-imposed nationwide safety legislation that was carried out following huge anti-government protests in 2019. Lai has spent 5 years in custody, a lot of it in solitary confinement, and his household mentioned his well being has declined quickly. 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 no 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.
Sebastien Lai, considered one of his youngsters, mentioned the household was saddened however not stunned by the decision.
“In the 800-page verdict they have there is essentially nothing, nothing that incriminates him,” he advised reporters in London. “This is a perfect example of how the national security law has been molded and weaponized against someone who essentially said stuff that they didn’t like.”
“This verdict proves that the authorities still fear our father, even in his weakened state, for what he represents,” his daughter Claire mentioned in an announcement. “We stand by his innocence and condemn this miscarriage of justice.”
Court docket mentioned Lai spent years plotting towards Beijing
Studying from an 855-page verdict, Choose Esther Toh mentioned that Lai had prolonged a “constant invitation” to the U.S. to assist convey down the Chinese language authorities with the excuse of serving to Hong Kongers.
Lai’s legal professionals admitted in the course of the trial that he had known 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 mentioned the court docket was glad 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 had been Lai’s spouse and considered one of his sons, 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 mentioned he has raised the case with China, and U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has mentioned his authorities has made it a precedence to safe the discharge of Lai, who’s a British citizen.
Lai might face life in jail
The collusion cost carries a most penalty of life imprisonment. Hearings had been set to start Jan. 12 for Lai and different defendants within the case to argue for a shorter sentence.
Throughout Lai’s 156-day trial, prosecutors accused him of conspiring with senior executives of Apple Every day and others to request international forces to impose sanctions or blockades and have interaction in different hostile actions towards 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 top of the protests.
Lai testified for 52 days in his personal protection, arguing that he had not known as for international sanctions after the sweeping safety legislation was imposed in June 2020. His authorized workforce additionally argued for freedom of expression.
Well being considerations raised throughout marathon trial
Because the trial progressed, Lai’s well being seemed to be deteriorating.
Lai’s legal professionals in August advised the court docket that he suffered from coronary heart palpitations.
His youngsters have mentioned that he misplaced 10 kilograms (22 kilos) previously yr alone and misplaced a few of his nails and enamel. In addition they mentioned he suffered from infections for months, together with fixed again ache, diabetes, coronary heart points and hypertension.
Hong Kong’s authorities mentioned no abnormalities had been discovered throughout a medical examination that adopted Lai’s grievance of coronary heart issues. It added this month that the medical companies supplied to him had been enough.
Hong Kong chief John Lee mentioned 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 exterior the court docket constructing.
“Lai’s conviction is justice served,” he advised reporters.
UK and rights teams slam final result, as China defends it
U.Okay. International Secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned on X that her nation condemned the politically motivated prosecution that resulted within the responsible verdict, saying it could proceed to name for his launch. The EU additionally deplored the conviction.
In Beijing, Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun mentioned 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 world media watchdog Reporters With out Borders and Amnesty Worldwide, condemned 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,” mentioned Reporters With out Borders’ director basic Thibaut Bruttin.
However Hong Kong Secretary for Safety Chris Tang mentioned the decision has nothing to do with press freedom.
Earlier than dawn, dozens of residents queued exterior the court docket constructing to safe a courtroom seat.
Former Apple Every 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 mentioned she felt the method was being rushed for the reason that verdict date was introduced solely final Friday, however added, “I’m relieved that this case can at least conclude soon.”
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Related Press author Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong and Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report.
