FILE – Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai pauses throughout an interview in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. (AP Photograph/Vincent Yu, File)
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Vincent Yu/AP/AP
HONG KONG — Prosecutors in Hong Kong have begun closing arguments within the nationwide safety trial of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, after a number of delays final week.
This marks the ultimate phases of Lai’s high-profile trial, which is scheduled to final 8 days. The closing arguments will probably be Lai’s final courtroom appearances, earlier than three nationwide safety judges ship a verdict, which is predicted within the coming weeks or months.
On Monday, Lai wore a white jacket and black-rimmed glasses. He nodded and smiled at his members of the family and supporters as he entered the courtroom.
He appeared visibly thinner because the trial started in December 2023.
Prosecutor Anthony Chau informed the courtroom that Lai had been fitted with a coronary heart monitor and prescribed treatment, including that 77-year-old Lai had made no additional complaints concerning his well being.
Lai is accused of violating Hong Kong’s nationwide safety regulation
Folks wait to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts forward of the closing statements for Hong Kong activist writer Jimmy Lai’s nationwide safety trial in Hong Kong, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photograph/Chan Lengthy Hei)
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Chan Lengthy Hei/AP/AP
Lai’s trial first started in December 2023 after a number of delays and has lasted properly past the unique estimate of 80 days.
Authorities have accused Lai of utilizing his tabloid, Apple Each day, to advocate for worldwide sanctions towards Hong Kong and China after Beijing imposed the nationwide safety regulation in 2020 following anti-government protests that erupted the 12 months earlier than.
The laws criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with overseas forces to hazard nationwide safety.
Chinese language and Hong Kong officers say that because the regulation took impact, it has restored stability within the territory, whereas critics argue that it has been used to silence dissent.
Lai has pleaded not responsible to 2 costs of colluding with overseas forces beneath the town’s nationwide safety regulation, and a separate sedition cost. He faces as much as life in jail, if he’s convicted.
In his closing arguments, Chau emphasised Lai’s worldwide connections, which included distinguished U.S. political figures.
“These collaborations are long term and persistent,” Chau mentioned.
Chau highlighted Lai’s journeys to the US in 2019, together with in July the place he met with then-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
Lai testified final November that in that assembly with Pence, he had solely requested the vice chairman to voice his assist for Hong Kong, and he didn’t request the U.S. authorities to take motion towards Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. “This is beyond me,” he mentioned.
To some, Lai is a thorn within the aspect of authority; to others, a hero of press freedom
A thorn within the eyes of Beijing and Hong Kong authorities for many years, Lai’s Apple Each day was compelled to close down in 2021. He was an outspoken critic of China’s leaders by his publications and writing.
In his testimony final November, Lai talked about causes for founding his media empire, saying, “the more information you have, the more you know, the more you’re free.”
On Monday, dozens of Lai’s supporters gathered outdoors the courthouse, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lai. Amongst them was a person, wearing black in his 50s, who recognized himself solely as Chan, citing concern of presidency retaliation for supporting Lai. He informed NPR that he apprehensive about Lai’s well being.
“Lai is an iconic figure in Hong Kong, a symbol, and a thorn in the side of those who oppose freedom, democracy, justice, and conscience. Our support for him isn’t just about supporting him as an individual, it’s also about standing up for these values,” he mentioned.
Presided over by three hand-picked nationwide safety judges by the authorities, the trial has drawn worldwide curiosity.
Throughout final 12 months’s presidential election marketing campaign, President Trump mentioned on a podcast that “100%, I will get him out. He’ll be simple to get out.“
Final Thursday, in what gave the impression to be a toned-down model of his earlier pledge, Trump mentioned in an interview on Fox Information radio that he would do all the things he may.
“I didn’t say 100% I’d save him. I said, 100%, I’m going to be bringing it up, and I’ve already brought it up, and I’m going to do everything I can to save him,” he mentioned, including that his Chinese language counterpart, Xi Jinping, “would not be exactly thrilled” by the transfer.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, referred to as Lai “a key orchestrator and participant in anti-China, destabilising activities in Hong Kong”.
Liu slammed “external forces” for undermining Hong Kong’s rule of regulation and interfering in China’s inside affairs.
