Prominent publisher Jimmy Lai is facing a national security trial under a Beijing-imposed law, charged with colluding with foreign forces and putting out seditious publications. His defense lawyer argued that the prosecutors’ evidence was insufficient, but judges ruled that Lai has a case to answer on all charges. Lai will testify in his defense, with the case adjourned until November. The trial is seen as a test for press freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, where civil liberties have increasingly shrunk since the enactment of the 2020 security law. Prosecutors allege that Lai sought support from the U.S. against Beijing and Hong Kong leaders, with six former Apple Daily executives admitting to conspiring with him and being convicted. Hong Kong’s media freedom has declined, with the city ranking 135th out of 180 countries in press freedom. The trial highlights the ongoing tensions between Beijing’s desire for control and Hong Kong’s longstanding civil liberties.
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Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media mogul, set to testify in his own defense
