Jimmy Lai: democracy on trial in Hong Kong
The pro-democracy media tycoon was arrested more than three years ago on national security charges
Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has gone on trial in Hong Kong charged with violating China's draconian National Security Law (NSL).
The 76-year-old media mogul, known for being one of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) "most outspoken critics", was arrested in 2020 under a National Security Law (NSL) imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing, said Deutsche Welle.
Founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily – which was raided by police and shut down in 2021 – Lai has been charged with conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His arrest was part of the "sweeping crackdown on press freedom and civil liberties" following 2019's pro-democracy protests, which were sparked by the government's decision to introduce a bill which would allow the extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China.
Since his arrest three-and-a-half years ago, he has been in "solitary confinement, in a maximum security prison" in Hong Kong, his son Sebastien Lai told ABC.
'Strong rhetoric must lead to action'
"Jimmy Lai is the embodiment of Hong Kong's story: rags to riches, a fight for freedom and a travesty of justice," said Benedict Rogers in The Independent.
When he went on trial on Monday, charged with violating Hong Kong's NSL, "Hong Kong went on trial too: its reputation for the rule of law, judicial independence and basic freedoms in tatters". Lai's case is "emblematic" of Beijing's "all-out assault on Hong Kong's civil rights – the dismantling of freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and press freedom", Rogers continued.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron has issued a statement urging an end to the prosecution and calling for the release of British national Lai, criticising the charges as "politically motivated". The UK government, including Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is pressing for consular access.
But the key now is to "sustain and develop international pressure for Lai's release" said Rogers. The statements made in the last few days "are important, but they must not be allowed to fade away". Strong rhetoric is welcome and needed, "but it must lead to action".
'Trial is nakedly political'
This trial is "nakedly political", agreed The Guardian in an editorial. "There is little doubt how it will end." The NSL is "extraordinarily broad in scope", even claiming jurisdiction over activities abroad by people who are not Hong Kong residents.
Lai has been denied his choice of lawyer by the authorities, and will not face a jury but judges handpicked by the regime. And trials under the NSL "have a 100% conviction rate", the paper continued. "It is highly likely that Mr Lai may spend the rest of his life in jail."
There is little doubt that the Hong Kong authorities are "determined to make an example" of Lai, said Jawad Iqbal in The Spectator. "Why? Because Lai, in fighting for democracy and freedom, epitomises everything that Hong Kong's Chinese masters are determined to crush."
Beijing insists the NSL is "necessary to quell unrest, and views Lai as a traitor who sought to undermine security". But it is "hard to view what has happened to Lai as anything other than yet one more example of Beijing's tightening grip on Hong Kong".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sorcha Bradley is a writer at The Week and a regular on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. She worked at The Week magazine for a year and a half before taking up her current role with the digital team, where she mostly covers UK current affairs and politics. Before joining The Week, Sorcha worked at slow-news start-up Tortoise Media. She has also written for Sky News, The Sunday Times, the London Evening Standard and Grazia magazine, among other publications. She has a master’s in newspaper journalism from City, University of London, where she specialised in political journalism.
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Did the Covid virus leak from a lab?
The Explainer Once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the idea that Covid-19 originated in a virology lab in Wuhan now has many adherents
By The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published