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Jimmy Laii

Jimmy Lai is a publishing tycoon known for his brash business style as well as his anti-Beijing activism, which was often reflected in his tabloid-style Apple Daily newspaper. He was a vocal participant in the Occupy Hong Kong protests of 2014 and remained a strong supporter of the anti-government protests triggered by the extradition bill. On 10 August 2020, he was arrested on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces and fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to the collusion charges. On 10 December 2022, he was sentenced to five years and nine months, and fined HK$2 million, in the fraud case. The collusion prosecution is ongoing.

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For some, the best thing to do is stay out of politics, avoid areas of uncertainty and toe the government line. Then there are others, raised in a system that espouses freedom, who feel the need to speak out.

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  • Government says petition ‘misleading and slanderous’ and accuses clerics of undermining rule of law and interfering in city’s affairs
  • Move came after 10 senior Catholic churchmen from eight countries signed petition calling for Lai’s release ‘immediately and unconditionally’

Congressional commission calls on American leader to raise concerns about Beijing’s rights abuses and demand immediate end to transnational repression.

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Political veterans Tam Yiu-chung, Regina Ip and Lau Siu-kai say sanctions may trigger ‘fallback measures’ included in security law for cases to be tried over border.

International law expert predicts US ‘provocative move’ on sanctions would not be allowed in run-up to meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Biden later this month.

Government spokesman says US politicians should stop acting against international law and interfering in Hong Kong issues, which are China’s internal affairs.

High Court decides to adjourn media mogul’s trial for third time to allow one of three presiding judges to hear evidence for separate subversion case.

Media tycoon ‘unreasonably persisted’ with the two proceedings against decision to bar British lawyer from representing him in collusion trial, Chief Judge of the High Court Jeremy Poon says.

Tycoon initiated two legal challenges, including judicial review which led to Friday’s ruling, to keep King’s Counsel Timothy Owen on his defence team.

A US lawmaker and witnesses call for Washington to sanction judges and prosecutors who have been ‘complicit’ in the deterioration of the rule of law in Hong Kong.

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Senior Counsel Robert Pang argues fair-minded observer would find bias with Lai’s conviction, citing secrecy of how city leader has appointed judges for security cases.

British King’s Counsel Timothy Owen is unlikely to represent media mogul given proposed legal amendments and existing administrative procedures, they say.