Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Court
Hong Kong
declared media tycoon Apple Daily
Jimmy Lai
guilty on charges of national security and sedition, Monday (15/12).Lai was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Lai was found guilty of violating the national security law by publishing inflammatory publications in Apple Daily and colluding with foreign parties to impose sanctions on China.
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Until the verdict was read, Lai stated he was not guilty of all the charges.
However, judges in court today said the evidence collected made it clear that Lai’s actions were consistent with the allegations.
“There is not the slightest doubt in our minds that the first defendant has never wavered in his intention to destabilize the Chinese Communist Party government and even though the national security law has been implemented, he still intends to continue his intention, albeit in an explicit way,” said the judge at the trial Esther Toh when reading the written verdict.
The judges also said that Lai was the mastermind who designed the scenario to destabilize the Chinese government.
When reading the verdict, the judge said that Lai lobbied United States President Donald Trump in his first term.They also noted that the tycoon met with US vice president Mike Pence, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to request a direct meeting with Trump in 2019.
At that time, Hong Kong was rocked by massive demonstrations in 2019 to 2020. They protested against a draft law related to extradition and then demands extended to freedom of speech and the press.
However, Lai never met and spoke directly with the number one person in the White House.
“Mr President, you are the only one who can save us. If you save us, you can stop China’s aggression. You can also save the world,” he said during an interview with
hitclubapk3
in 2020.
The judges attached evidence of WhatsApp messages between the tycoon and pro-democracy activists and the head of Apple Daily.
They also included Lai’s op-ed in the New York Times suggesting ways to punish China for its actions in Hong Kong.
In their ruling, the judges said Lai’s urging of US officials to take action against China in the name of helping the people of Hong Kong would be similar to the situation of Uncle Sam’s citizens seeking help from Russia to overthrow the US government under the guise of helping the State of California.
“We believe that (Lai) was the mastermind of the conspiracy outlined in the three indictments,” they concluded, quoted by hitclubapk3.
The next trial will be held on January 12 2026. Lai has the opportunity to appeal.
The ruling was welcomed by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and police chief Steve Lee.They agreed the judge was “professional.”
However, groups that focus on human rights issues criticized it.Human Rights Watch’s Asia director, Elaine Pearson, said the ruling was cruel and a travesty of justice.
“The Chinese government’s mistreatment of Jimmi Lai aims to silence anyone who dares to criticize the Communist Party,” said Pearson, quoted
The Guardian
.
Lai founded Apple Daily in 1995. This media focuses on advocating for democracy and criticizing the Chinese Communist Party.
(isa/rds)
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