The trial of publisher and democracy activist Jimmy Lai has begun in Hong Kong for alleged violations of the Chinese Special Administrative Region’s controversial security law.
The 76-year-old appeared in court in West Kowloon district on Monday, Hong Kong newspaper ‘South China Morning Post’ and other media reported.
What is China accusing Jimmy Lai of?
Lai is the founder of the pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily. The newspaper was forced to close in 2021 after being targeted for alleged breaches of security laws. Lai has already been sentenced to two prison terms and has been in prison for three years.
If Lai is found guilty, as expected, in the trial that is now starting, he could face life in prison in the worst case. The trial, which has already been postponed several times, is expected to last until the new year.
The security law, which came into force in 2020 after mass protests calling for greater democracy, targets the pro-democracy opposition and activities that Beijing considers subversive, separatist, terrorist or conspiratorial.
Since the end of the protests, numerous activists have been convicted or fled abroad.
Why is that important?
The director of the association Reporters Without Borders, Christian Mihr, criticized the proceedings against Lai. “Shortly before this historic trial, it is more important than ever that the international community stands behind Jimmy Lai,” Mihr said, according to a statement: “The court must adhere to the rule of law and stop this threadbare procedure.”
Over the past three years, authorities have used the security law and other laws as a pretext to prosecute at least 28 journalists and press freedom defenders in Hong Kong.
Since July 1, 1997, the former British crown colony has been part of China again and is governed according to the principle of ‘one country, two systems’. This agreement effectively stipulates that Hong Kong residents will enjoy “a high degree of autonomy” and many freedoms for 50 years until 2047. However, since the security law was passed, many people have only talked about “one country, one system”.
In June 2021, people in Hong Kong queued up for the latest issue of the Beijing-critical newspaper Apple Daily. After enormous pressure from the China-friendly authorities, the editorial staff had to stop working.
Sources
(dsc/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
