Potential life sentence if found guilty of violating the National Security Act
“The most notable trial involving journalists after the return of Hong Kong in 1997”
The National Security Law trial of Jimmy Lai (76), the founder of Hong Kong’s anti-China media outlet Binge Daily, began on the 18th amidst the attention of the international community. The trial, expected to last 80 days, is considered the most high-profile trial of a Hong Kong journalist since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.
China’s state-run Central (CC) TV said, “The trial of Next Digital (parent company of Bingo Daily) and ‘anti-China molecule’ Li Zhiying (Chinese name Jimmy Lai) on charges of collusion with foreign forces and threats to national security will be held in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Court. It will begin at and the hearing process is expected to last 80 days.”
This trial, held three years after Lai was arrested and indicted on charges of violating the National Security Law, is the case receiving the most attention since the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect on June 30, 2020.
CNN evaluated this trial as ‘the most notable case among the trials of Hong Kong journalists since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.’
This trial will examine charges including violating Hong Kong’s national security law, colluding with foreign forces, organizing Hong Kong pro-democracy rallies, participating in protests, and distributing inflammatory publications.
The Hong Kong National Security Law defines “the act of urging foreign governments or organizations to block or impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China” as a “foreign collusion crime.” If you are found guilty of collusion with foreign powers, you will be sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison. A serious violation can result in a prison sentence of 10 years or more, up to a maximum of life imprisonment.
Lai’s trial will be conducted by three judges appointed by the Hong Kong government without a jury, and Lai’s request for a British lawyer has been denied.
◆The president of a clothing company instigated anti-China media
After smuggling to Hong Kong in 1960, Lai took over a bankrupt clothing factory and started a business. Based on this, he established the brand ‘Giordano’ in 1981 and became a billionaire.
Lai happened to stop by a pizza shop on a business trip to the U.S., and he liked the taste of the food and the service, so when he returned to Hong Kong, he decided to use it as a brand name and founded Hong Kong Giordano.
As Giordano established itself stably in the market, it focused on comfort among unisex casual clothes, which suited the consumer’s desire for clothes that anyone can wear comfortably and are comfortable to move around in, rather than cutting-edge trends after the IMF economic crisis. Reasonable prices are also considered an advantage of the brand to ensure customer loyalty.
Meanwhile, Lai founded the pro-democracy and anti-China BinKwa Ilbo in 1995. In particular, Bingo Daily became a media representative of the Hong Kong democracy movement after the ‘Umbrella Revolution’ in July 2014. Then, in the process of China suppressing the Hong Kong democracy movement, it was unable to withstand the Hong Kong authorities’ search and seizure and asset freeze, and was closed down in June last year.
Lai has also become a “top priority target” of Hong Kong’s national security law.
He was arrested and indicted in December 2020 on charges of participating in and encouraging an illegal assembly and fraud. Meanwhile, Jimmy Lai is in prison, having been sentenced to 5 years and 9 months in prison for fraud.
◆Strengthening court vigilance amid tensions
Hong Kong security authorities have strengthened security at the courthouse ahead of Lai’s trial.
Chris Tang, Hong Kong’s security chief, said, “We plan to strengthen patrols at the West Kowloon Courthouse, where Lai’s trial begins, deploy explosive detection dogs to conduct searches, and deploy X-ray machines to inspect the belongings of spectators.”
He also warned, “We will take immediate and decisive action against anyone who interferes with the trial or threatens those involved in the judicial process.”
◆Western concerns: “They must be released immediately”
Western countries, including the United States, expressed concern about Lai’s trial and called for his release.
On the 17th (local time), the U.S. State Department said in a statement under spokesman Matthew Miller, “The United States condemns the indictment of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy activist and media owner, in Hong Kong under China’s National Security Law,” adding, “Lai has been pending trial for over 1,000 days.” He is in pre-trial detention, and Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have refused to provide Lai with legal representation.”
“We urge the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to respect freedom of speech in Hong Kong,” the U.S. State Department said, adding, “Immediately release Jimmy Lai and anyone imprisoned for defending their rights.”
The British government also issued an unusual statement, calling for Lai’s release.
“We call for the release of British citizen Jimmy Lai, who has been charged with ‘politically motivated’ charges,” British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement.
“As a renowned journalist and publisher, Lai has become the target of an apparent attempt to prevent the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and association,” Cameron said. “We urge you to stop prosecuting individuals,” he emphasized.
He also pointed out that “Hong Kong’s National Security Law violates the ‘China-Britain Joint Declaration’.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.