A Hong Kong court on Friday rejected a request by the defense of ousted pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai to exclude the charge of seditious publication from his trial on charges of endangering national security that opened on Monday.
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Mr Lai, 76, is accused of Hong Kong's “collusion” with foreign forces under a harsh national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 and faces life in prison.
He was also charged with “conspiracy to produce seditious materials,” an offense under a colonial-era law that is considered a less serious charge because it carries a felony penalty. If convicted, there is a risk of shorter prison sentences.
Lawyers for the owner of Apple Daily, a liberal and anti-government daily newspaper that was shut down by authorities in 2021, have previously argued that the sedition charge should be dismissed because the prosecution followed what they said was a six-month deadline required by Hong Kong law was submitted.
“We are of the opinion that the prosecution is not time-barred and the defense's application must therefore be rejected,” said Judge Esther Toh on Friday, confirming the prosecution's interpretation of the statute of limitations.
The hearing has been postponed until January 2, and prosecutors are expected to begin presenting their case against Mr. Lai at that time.
His trial is causing a stir as it is seen as a barometer for the current state of civil liberties in Hong Kong.
Dozens of armed police were stationed near the court on Friday, where an elderly pro-democracy activist, Alexandra Wong, was the only one who dared to protest on behalf of Mr. Lai.
The defendant smiled and greeted his family members, who supported him in the courtroom, as well as some representatives of foreign consulates.
Both the United Kingdom and the United States have requested the release of Mr. Lai, who is a British citizen. The European Union and the United Nations also expressed concern about his fate.
Beijing has dismissed this criticism as slander and interference.