Detained pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is about to testify for the first time in his national security trial. The 76-year-old founder of Apple Daily faces serious charges under Beijing’s security law and a colonial-era law, with a potential life sentence if convicted.
As of Wednesday morning, people were lining up outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building in the rain to secure a seat in the public gallery for Lai’s testimony. Some had been waiting since Tuesday afternoon after the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy figures, including legal scholar Benny Tai, who received the longest national security jail sentence so far.
One individual waiting in line, 23-year-old Samuel Yin, expressed his interest in observing court cases related to human rights and freedoms. He emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and press. Additionally, 70-year-old Chiu Mei-ying, who had previously served a sentence for sedition, was among the early birds in the queue, hoping to witness Lai’s testimony.
Lai’s trial, which began in December 2020 and led to his detention, has faced delays and adjournments. He has been held in a maximum-security prison since 2022. Recently, claims of Lai’s unlawful and arbitrary detention have been made by an international team of lawyers, challenging the Hong Kong government’s stance on the matter.
The national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 has stirred controversy and led to a crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. Despite government claims that the law restored stability, critics argue that it has undermined fundamental freedoms and eroded the city’s judicial system.
The upcoming testimony of Jimmy Lai in his national security trial has drawn significant public attention, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing democracy advocates in Hong Kong. As the trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how the case will impact the broader political landscape in the region and beyond.
