Security Act - Hong Kong publisher pleads not guilty
In the trial for alleged violations of the controversial security law in Hong Kong, the accused publisher Jimmy Lai has officially pleaded not guilty. This was reported by the Hong Kong newspaper "South China Morning Post". Lai has been on trial at the court in the West Kowloon district of the former British crown colony since December 18.
The 76-year-old, who also holds a British passport, is the founder of the pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper "Apple Daily", which was forcibly shut down in 2021 after the authorities opened an investigation into alleged breaches of security laws. Lai has already been sentenced to two prison terms and has been in prison for three years. If, as expected, the court finds him guilty in this trial too, he could face a life sentence in the worst case scenario.
The security law is directed against the pro-democracy opposition and against activities that Beijing considers to be subversive, separatist, terrorist or conspiratorial. It came into force in 2020 in response to large demonstrations for more democracy. Numerous activists have already been sentenced or fled abroad since the end of the protests.
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- Jimmy Lai's publisher, known for the pro-democracy newspaper "Apple Daily", has faced several processes due to alleged violations of the Chinese-imposed security law in Hong Kong.
- Despite serving two prison sentences and being in prison for three years, the South China Morning Post reported that Jimmy Lai pleaded not guilty to additional charges under the controversial security law during his trial in Kowloon.
- The Chinese government, which considers Jimmy Lai's activities as subversive and against its interests, has cracked down on human rights defenders in Hong Kong, leading to numerous activists receiving prison sentences or fleeing the territory.
- The trial, taking place in the West Kowloon district of Hong Kong, continues to be a testament to the ongoing struggle for justice and freedom of the press in the face of the Chinese government's repressive policies.
- Even with Jimmy Lai's ongoing trial, the Hong Kong Independent Publishers Association and other human rights organizations continue to call for the repeal of the security law and advocate for the protection of press freedom in Hong Kong.
Source: www.stern.de
