Pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai denies asking U.S. to act against Hong Kong, China in landmark trial
Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai began testifying in his landmark national security trial that is widely seen as a measure of press freedom in the city.
HONG KONG — Hong Kong democrat and media tycoon Jimmy Lai testified Wednesday for the first time in his landmark national security trial, saying he had never tried to influence the foreign policy of countries such as the United States, towards China and Hong Kong.
The arrest of Lai, 76, a British and Hong Kong citizen and a founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is considered one of the most high-profile under a sweeping China-imposed national security law.
His testimony comes just a day after Hong Kong jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years in a separate national security case.
Lai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material.
Lai, 76, faces up to life in prison if convicted under a national security law imposed by Beijing. Anthony Wallace / AFP - Getty Images fileDuring the trial it was alleged that Lai and others had requested an organization or foreign country, chiefly the United States “to impose sanctions or blockade, or engage in other hostile activities” on the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.
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