Final arguments conclude in Jimmy Lai national security trial in Hong Kong | Jimmy Lai

Remaining arguments have concluded within the nationwide safety trial of the pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong.Authorities-picked judges are retiring to think about their verdict within the case, seen internationally as an important take a look at of the rule of legislation within the metropolis.Lai, 77, has been in jail since 2020, when he was charged with two counts of conspiracy to collude with overseas forces and one depend of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.The fees have been introduced beneath a sweeping nationwide safety legislation (NSL) imposed by Beijing after anti-government protests in 2019, and a colonial-era sedition legislation.A protest over human rights in Hong Kong and the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai. {Photograph}: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianOften known as the Rupert Murdoch of Asia, Lai was one of many few Hong Kong enterprise leaders prepared to criticise Beijing, which has labelled him a “modern-day traitor” and “riot supporter”.The case is probably the most high-profile instance of the Hong Kong authorities’s crackdown on the pro-democracy opposition within the metropolis beneath the NSL, which broadly outlawed any act of dissent.In line with his legal professionals and household, Lai has varied well being points, together with a coronary heart downside. He may face life in jail if convicted.Armed police outdoors West Kowloon magistrates court docket in Hong Kong. {Photograph}: Anadolu/Getty ImagesAsked concerning the timing of a verdict, one of many three judges overseeing the case mentioned it will be introduced “in good time”. Lai’s trial, just like different nationwide safety circumstances, is being presided over by designated judges as an alternative of a jury, a departure from town’s frequent legislation system.Closing arguments by the prosecution and the defence started final week, after delays attributable to unhealthy climate after which considerations over Lai’s well being. They concluded on Thursday morning.Lai, wearing a beige linen blazer and white shirt, smiled, nodded and waved on the public gallery earlier than being escorted away by corrections officers. He additionally raised his thumb a couple of instances.Prosecutors accused Lai of utilizing his media outlet, Apple Every day, and overseas political connections to foyer for governments to impose sanctions and different punitive measures on Chinese language and Hong Kong authorities. They mentioned he confirmed “unwavering intent”, and that the alleged collaborations have been “long-term and constant”, past the introduction of the NSL.His alleged collaborators included the activist Andy Li and paralegal Chan Tsz-wah, each of whom testified towards him at trial, and the Interparliamentary Alliance on China. He was additionally accused of financing the advocacy group Stand with Hong Kong.Andy Li, a pc programmer turned pro-democracy activist who testified towards Lai. {Photograph}: RFAIn court docket, Lai’s defence workforce mentioned prosecutors had failed to supply enough proof for the claims of conspiring with Li, Chan, or different alleged co-conspirators to request overseas sanctions after the NSL’s introduction.Marc Corlett KC mentioned that the prosecution’s submission that Lai stayed in touch with former US defence officers “goes by no means to display” their case as a result of these people had not been named as “co-conspirators”.The senior counsel Robert Pang had earlier defended Apple Every day, saying “it’s not improper to assist freedom of expression. It isn’t improper to assist human rights.”Pang instructed the court docket the media’s position was to facilitate public discourse, and that the newspaper’s place was one in every of all kinds of views taken by Hong Kong’s many shops. “Apple Every day was not calling for public debate,” he mentioned. “Apple Every day was a part of the general public debate.”Lai was arrested alongside a number of others together with executives at his firm, throughout a raid on the Apple Every day newsroom and related places in August 2020. He was granted bail however then taken into custody in December that 12 months and has remained behind bars ever since, on remand after which serving sentences for different convictions associated to pro-democracy protests and fraud costs which his supporters say have been trumped up. Apple Every day was compelled to shut in June 2021.A police officer stands guard outdoors West Kowloon magistrates court docket. {Photograph}: Leung Man Hei/EPAForeign governments, authorized organisations and rights teams have broadly criticised the prosecution of Lai, particularly the finally profitable efforts of the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to dam his chosen lawyer, the UK barrister Tim Owen KC, from defending him. The authorities have rejected criticism, labelling Lai “a voluntary political device of overseas forces attempting to curb China via Hong Kong”.The trial stretched to 156 days, far past the 80 days initially set down. The carefully watched hearings have been typically attended by supporters and worldwide observers, together with overseas diplomats based mostly within the metropolis, who would line up for hours to safe restricted seating.Lai took the stand in November, the primary time he had been heard in public since his not responsible plea in January that 12 months. He mentioned he by no means tried to affect overseas coverage or ask overseas officers to take concrete motion on Hong Kong.Shortly after his arrest in 2020, whereas at dwelling on bail, Lai instructed the Guardian his case can be a “litmus take a look at” of Hong Kong’s authorized system for the reason that NSL. He mentioned the pro-democracy motion’s final objective of gaining full democracy for Hong Kong was now not attainable, however they needed to hold combating.“We don’t know after we’ll win, however we’re so positive we’re on the proper facet of historical past, and time is on our facet,” he mentioned.