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The 76-year-old publisher and activist faces life imprisonment. Criticism comes from the West, justification from China.
He has long been a red flag for the Chinese leadership: Jimmy Lai. He is the founder of the pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily. The paper was forced to shut down in 2021 after it was targeted by the authorities for alleged violations of security law.
The security law, which only came into force in 2020 in response to large demonstrations for more democracy, is directed against the pro-democracy opposition and against activities that Beijing sees as subversive, separatist, terrorist or conspiratorial. Since the end of the protests, numerous activists have already been sentenced or have fled abroad.
Lai has already been sentenced to two prison terms and has been in prison for three years. If, as expected, Lai is found guilty in the trial that is now beginning, in the worst case scenario he could face life in prison.
Shortly before the trial began in the former British crown colony, the government in London demanded the publisher’s immediate release. The politically motivated prosecution of Lai, who also has a British passport, must be stopped immediately, said Foreign Minister David Cameron in a statement late on Sunday evening.
Arrests under the security law have silenced opposition voices.
The former prime minister expressed concern about the controversial national security law, which Lai is said to have violated. China is breaking its international obligations, said Cameron. “It has damaged Hong Kong and significantly undermined rights and freedoms. Arrests under the law have silenced the voices of the opposition.”
A spokesman for the Beijing Foreign Ministry dismissed the criticism on Monday as “interference.” Lai is the “main planner of the anti-Chinese unrest” and “the driving force behind the chaos in Hong Kong,” said spokesman Wang Wenbin.
The managing director of Reporters Without Borders Germany, Christian Mihr, criticized the proceedings against Lai. “As we approach this historic process, it is more important than ever that the international community stands behind Jimmy Lai,” said a statement. “The court must adhere to the rule of law and stop this flimsy procedure.”
One country, two systems?
Since July 1, 1997, the former British crown colony has been part of the People’s Republic of China again. Hong Kong is governed according to the principle of “one country, two systems”.
This agreement actually 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”.