In prison for almost two years, the democratic activist was accused of violating a rental agreement. On December 1, the trial begins against him for threats to national security and the crime of sedition. Tomorrow, the final phase of the process against Cardinal Joseph Zen.
Hong Kong () – The District Court today sentenced Jimmy Lai for fraud: according to the indictment, Lai used the headquarters of appledaily illegally, since in the offices he also managed a consulting company. Last year, the independent newspaper, founded by the Catholic tycoon and Democratic activist, ceased publication after being investigated by the courts for threats to national security.
Lai, 74, has been in prison since December 2020. He is serving a sentence for participating in unauthorized demonstrations and is awaiting trial (which will start on December 1) on four charges: two, collusion, for collaborating with other countries or “external elements”; one of conspiracy with foreign forces; and the last of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, distribute and reproduce “seditious” publications
The violation of the draconian National Security Law – the regulation imposed by Beijing in the summer of 2020 to suffocate the democratic front – is punishable by life imprisonment. For the crime of sedition, the maximum penalty is two years in prison.
In the fraud case, Lai allegedly breached the terms of the lease for certain premises of Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, thus gaining an illegitimate advantage. For the same matter, Judge Stanley Chan also found guilty Wong Wai-keung, former CEO of Next Digital, the holding company that controlled appledaily.
The Court is expected to issue a final ruling on November 24, when Lai and Wong will present their sentence reduction requests. The tycoon remains in jail; Wong was granted bail.
Meanwhile, there is great expectation for the final phase of the process against the card. Joseph Zen Zekiun, which will be held tomorrow. The city’s bishop emeritus is accused, along with five well-known members of the Democratic Front, of failing to properly register a humanitarian fund of which they were administrators. Until its closure in October 2021, the 612 Fund assisted thousands of pro-democracy protesters who participated in the 2019 demonstrations.
