Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Tycoon, Jimmy Lai testifies In Controversial Trial

Jimmy Lai, a towering figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, is testifying in court for the first time on Wednesday in a landmark national security trial that could result in a life sentence. The 76-year-old founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily, a once-prominent pro-democracy tabloid, is accused of colluding with foreign forces through his media platform to challenge the government.

Lai, who has faced several politically charged trials since 2020, described Apple Daily as embodying “Hong Kong’s values,” such as freedom and the pursuit of democracy. During his testimony, he emphasized that the publication championed the rule of law, freedom of speech, and democracy, adding, “The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong.”

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His trial comes a day after the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists, part of the group known as the “Hong Kong 47,” in the city’s largest prosecution under the controversial national security law. Lai’s case centres on allegations that Apple Daily supported the 2019 pro-democracy protests, which Beijing viewed as a threat to national stability.

In court, Lai asserted that he opposed violence and dismissed the notion of advocating for Hong Kong independence as “too crazy to think about.” Despite his stance, he has been held in solitary confinement since late 2020, following prior convictions on charges such as unauthorized assembly and fraud.

Outside the courthouse on Wednesday, dozens of supporters gathered to show solidarity with Lai, just as crowds had rallied the previous day for the Hong Kong 47, which included prominent activists like Benny Tai and Joshua Wong.

Lai’s trial has drawn significant international attention. Rights organizations and foreign governments have called for his release, highlighting the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong under Beijing’s expanding influence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has identified Lai as a “priority” for his government, raised concerns about Lai’s health and deteriorating condition during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro this week. Lai’s family and legal team have echoed these concerns, pointing to his visible frailty and weight loss during recent court appearances.