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Jailed Hong Kong financier Jimmy Lai said today that he had supported a “peaceful ceasefire” against China’s crackdown on civil liberties and tried to “reduce violence” during the massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Lai is testifying for three days at his trial on charges of colluding with foreign forces, a crime that could see him face lengthy prison sentences under Beijing’s national security law imposed on financial institutions in mid-2020. Lai is one of the most prominent people on trial, and Western countries and human rights groups are calling for his release.
The founder of the now closed tabloid Apple Daily is also accused of “conspiring to publish seditious literature”. Today, Lai denied the accusation that he intended to incite hatred and violence against the authorities in a statement published in Apple Daily.
“Everything I said… is a true reflection of the truth I understand and the true thoughts of my heart, without any sense of hostility or ulterior motives, this goes for all my stories others said Lai. “I have always supported peaceful resistance,” he said, adding that the purpose of the articles was “to resist China’s oppression of our freedom.”
The lawsuit concerns articles in the newspaper that criticized Beijing’s leadership and supported the protests. The protests have ravaged the city for months, with protests ranging from blocking roads to large-scale clashes with the police.
Lai said his announcement has shown solidarity with peaceful protesters, but that this does not extend support for violence. “We are trying to bring them together with us, so that their violence will decrease,” Lai told the court.
Lai was also asked to produce the English edition of Apple Daily in May 2020, as the city prepares for a security law. Lai told the court that a “sense of urgency” led him to believe that the new publication would help Hong Kong by encouraging foreign politicians to “take note of our situation” and “express their concerns” to China.
Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021 after police raided and detained its editors. Lai has been in prison since December 2020, raising concerns about his health and the conditions of his detention.
He has chosen not to testify in any of his five previous cases, all of which resulted in convictions, including for organizing and participating in protests during the 2019 protests.
