Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai testifies for first time

Lai, one of the most influential pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong, is accused of colluding with foreign forces.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewsletters'Never': Jimmy Lai denies foreign collusion in landmark trialGetty ImagesJimmy Lai, Apple Daily founder, arrives at the Court of Final Appeal ahead a bail hearing on February 9, 2021Jimmy Lai, one of Hong Kong's most influential pro-democracy figures, has testified in court for the first time in a national security trial that may see him sentenced to life in jail.

The 76-year-old founder of the now-defunct Hong Kong tabloid Apple Daily has been accused of colluding with foreign forces.

But Lai told the court on Wednesday that he had "never" used his foreign contacts, which include ex-US VP Mike Pence and former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong.

Lai is already serving prison sentences for a range of offences for his alleged role in pro-democracy protests in 2019, which led to China imposing a sweeping national security law (NSL) in the city.

His hearing comes one day after the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy campaigners - part of a group known as the Hong Kong 47.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xpwvg9z5no

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