Jimmy Lai trial: Hong Kong activist told to flee to Taiwan, then UK after receiving bail in 2020, court hears

Activist turned prosecution witness Andy Li tells media mogul’s defence lawyers about unsuccessful escape attempt to Taiwan in late August 2020

Li also agrees with defence’s argument that he did not receive any instruction from Lai or his associates in relation to his work for opposition lobbying groups

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Police stand guard outside West Kowloon Court. Jimmy Lai’s trial has entered its 58th day. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Published: 5:33pm, 11 Apr 2024Updated: 7:07pm, 11 Apr 2024

A key prosecution witness in Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s trial has said he was instructed to flee to Taiwan by boat and find his way to the United Kingdom following his arrest under the Beijing-imposed national security law four years ago.

Detained activist Andy Li Yu-hin on Thursday explained his unsuccessful escape attempt from Hong Kong in late August 2020 at the request of Lai’s lawyers on the 58th day of the mogul’s high-profile trial.

Apple Daily founder Lai, 76, has denied two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces and a third of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications.

Li became a prosecution witness after pleading guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in 2021.

He was a core member of the “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong” (SWHK) lobbying group, which prosecutors alleged was sponsored by Lai to trigger sanctions and other hostile acts against Hong Kong and mainland China.

The programmer turned activist was also among 12 Hongkongers caught by the Chinese coastguard in 2020 in a case that attracted global attention and concerns over their treatment.