Processes - Hong Kong publisher pleads not guilty in trial
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.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
- Despite being in prison for three years due to previous prison sentences, Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai continues to face trial for alleged violations of Hong Kong's controversial security law.
- The South China Morning Post reported that Lai, the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, pleaded not guilty during the trial held in the West Kowloon district.
- Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the ongoing legal proceedings against Lai, as his continued detention and potential prison sentence could further limit freedom of speech in Hong Kong.
- If found guilty, Lai could face a life sentence under the harsh provisions of the security law, which was enacted by China to crack down on pro-democracy opposition and activities deemed subversive by Beijing.
- The international community has called on China to respect the rule of law and protect human rights in Hong Kong, as the security law and the treatment of individuals like Jimmy Lai have raised concerns over the erosion of democratic principles and freedoms in the former British crown colony.
Source: www.stern.de
