'Never': Jimmy Lai denies foreign collusion in landmark trial

Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, is a significant figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. He recently appeared in court for the first time in a national security trial that could result in a life sentence. At 76 years old, Lai has been accused of colluding with foreign forces, but he firmly stated in court that he has 'never' used his connections with foreign leaders, including former U. S. Vice President Mike Pence and former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, to influence foreign policy regarding Hong Kong. Lai is already serving time for various offenses related to his involvement in the pro-democracy protests of 2019, which prompted China to impose a strict national security law in the city. As he entered the courtroom, Lai, dressed in a brown jacket and wearing glasses, appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and waving to his family and supporters, despite having lost weight since his arrest. Outside the courthouse, many people gathered to show their support for him, similar to the crowd that had assembled the day before for the sentencing of 47 other pro-democracy activists, including prominent figures like Benny Tai and Joshua Wong. When questioned about whether he attempted to influence foreign policy through his overseas contacts, Lai responded with a clear 'never. ' He elaborated on his meeting with Mike Pence, explaining that he did not ask for anything but simply shared information about the situation in Hong Kong when asked. Regarding his encounter with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Lai mentioned that he requested Pompeo to voice support for Hong Kong rather than to take any specific action. Lai is among many activists, lawmakers, and protesters who have been detained under the national security law, which Beijing claims was necessary to restore order following the unrest in 2019. During a press briefing, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry criticized Lai, labeling him as the 'main plotter and participant of the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong. ' The Chinese government views Lai as a traitor who sought to undermine national security. However, many critics argue that Lai's trial exemplifies Beijing's increasing control over the former British territory. Lai has pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges related to collusion with foreign forces and a third charge concerning his newspaper, Apple Daily, which has been accused of publishing seditious material against the government after the national security law was enacted. In his defense, Lai stated that he opposes violence and has 'never allowed' his newspaper's staff to advocate for Hong Kong independence, which he described as a 'conspiracy' and 'too crazy to think about. ' He emphasized that the core values of Apple Daily reflect the core values of the people of Hong Kong, including the rule of law, freedom, democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. The tabloid was known for its pro-democracy stance but ceased operations a year after Lai's arrest. In 2021, authorities froze Apple Daily's bank accounts and arrested key staff members, claiming that the newspaper's articles violated the national security law. The prosecution of Lai, who holds British citizenship, has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations and foreign governments calling for his release. U. S. President Donald Trump expressed his commitment to securing Lai's freedom in a podcast, stating he would '100%' help him. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also made Lai a 'priority' for his government, voicing concerns about Lai's health during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Lai's family and legal team have raised alarms about his well-being, noting his weight loss and increasing frailty during recent court appearances. Lai has previously been sentenced to jail for charges including unauthorized assembly and fraud, and he has been held in solitary confinement since late 2020.