Jimmy Lai trial: Hong Kong judge questions argument that mogul’s ‘supportive words’ proof of conspiracy

Prosecutors turn attention to testimony that media tycoon told his employees to ‘hang in there’ after his prosecution and incarceration in late 2020

They also wrapped up questioning of ex-associate publisher turned witness, who said Lai had sympathised with ‘non-peaceful’ demonstrations amid 2019 social unrest

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Media mogul Jimmy Lai is escorted by correctional officers at Lai Chi Kok Detection Centre in 2020. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 6:46pm, 1 Mar 2024Updated: 8:41pm, 1 Mar 2024

A Hong Kong judge hearing Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s national security trial has cast doubt on prosecutors’ contention that purported words of encouragement from the mogul to Apple Daily staff are proof of a conspiracy to undermine authorities.

Prosecutors at West Kowloon Court on Friday turned their attention to testimony that the newspaper owner had told his employees to “hang in there” after his prosecution and incarceration in December 2020.

The defence counsel earlier argued the tycoon never made the remarks to Apple Daily staff and was referring to himself.

Ivan Cheung Cheuk-kan, for the prosecution, suggested Lai had told Apple Daily staff to “keep going”, as seen in a text message by former publisher Cheung Kim-hung concerning a prison visit to the mogul that month.

Mr Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang, one of three judges on the bench, questioned the relevance of the assertion, noting that Cheung’s account of the remark was hearsay and inadmissible.

“Are we going to infer guilt just simply because Mr Lai said ‘hang in there’?” he asked.