Jimmy Lai takes witness stand for first time in Hong Kong national security trial

Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy advocate and media tycoon, testified for the first time in a Hong Kong courtroom on Wednesday as part of his ongoing national security trial.

Mr Lai, the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, faces charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials.

The 76-year old British-Hong Kong national is among the most high-profile figures targeted under the China-imposed national security law, while his paper was forced to shut operations in 2021.

His testimony in court comes just a day after Hong Kong jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years in a separate national security case.

Speaking at the West Kowloon Magistrates Court, Lai described how his principles, centred on the rule of law and freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly, shaped the newspaper’s mission.

“We were always in support of movements for freedom,” Lai said, addressing a packed courtroom while dressed in a grey blazer.

Around 100 people queued in the pouring rain huddled beneath umbrellas to secure a place in the , with hundreds of police deployed around the building.

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