The Hong Kong High Court's Court of First Instance has found Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, and three affiliated companies of Apple Daily guilty of "conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security" and "conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications." Various legal professional organizations in HK have issued statements supporting the court's decision to punish acts endangering national security in accordance with the law, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding HK's long-term stability and security. They highlighted that Lai's testimony, characterized by initial denial, subsequent changes, and evasive arguments, appeared weak and self-contradictory in the face of overwhelming evidence.
The Small and Medium Law Firms Association of Hong Kong (SAMLAW) stated that the rule of law is a fundamental bottom line that cannot be compromised. They firmly supported the High Court's conviction of Jimmy Lai, asserting that the case was backed by irrefutable evidence and that the verdict fully demonstrated justice under the rule of law. The association expressed strong support for the judiciary's commitment to punishing acts that endanger national security and reinforcing the cornerstone of the rule of law, ensuring HK's enduring stability.
Fair, just, and open trial process
The SAMLAW emphasized that this case involved a grave offense against national security, with conclusive evidence and sound legal reasoning. The court's ruling clearly articulated that the defendant was prosecuted for illegal actions, not for political views or beliefs. The trial also revealed contradictions in the defendant's testimony, leaving no room to dispute the facts leading to conviction.
The trial process was conducted fairly, justly, and openly, with the defendant's statutory rights fully safeguarded throughout the proceedings. The association strongly opposed external forces' deliberate attempts to "delegalize" or "defactualize" the case through political manipulation. Such malicious smears, which disregard the facts and aim to interfere with HK's judicial independence, were met with stern condemnation.
The legal organization "Lawyers HK" praised the court for meticulously and impartially examining every piece of evidence and testimony. The court not only established the facts of the case but also conducted a detailed analysis of Lai's testimony, demonstrating to the public how HK's judicial system adheres to its core principle of evidence-based adjudication, even in complex cases.
The court's written judgment clearly exposed Lai's habitual tactics during testimony: "initial denial, followed by retraction, and finally evasion." These strategies proved weak and unconvincing in the face of irrefutable evidence.
The organization cited examples to illustrate Lai's evasive tactics. When accused of paying large sums of money to Jack Keane and Paul Wolfowitz to influence foreign policies, Lai initially denied the allegations, claiming there were no contracts. However, when presented with WhatsApp messages and emails, he changed his explanation to suggest the arrangements were based on "verbal agreements." The court sharply criticized this as a "strained interpretation" and a "failed attempt" at justification.
The organization also highlighted how Lai concealed the true purpose of his meetings with US officials during his bail application and how he implemented a "one-man rule" within Apple Daily while publicly claiming it was merely "casual meetings over lunch." Through the testimonies of multiple senior employees, the court pieced together the truth of how Jimmy Lai used the media organization as a political tool. When Lai denied issuing editorial directives, he was confronted by the collective memory of the entire editorial team and written documentation. In this context, the court deeming his testimony "evasive" was entirely logical.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao)
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