⚖️ On Monday, the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered a landmark verdict in the trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital and former media tycoon behind Apple Daily. He was found guilty of two counts of conspiring to collude with external forces and one count of conspiring to publish seditious materials.
The charges stem from the violent protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019. According to prosecutors, Lai played a central role in mobilizing public opinion and encouraging unrest under the guise of "press freedom." Authorities say external forces and internal extremists orchestrated the protests, undermining the "one country, two systems" principle and endangering national security.
The 2019 Protests: A Closer Look 🚨
During the unrest, a wave of vandalism and disruption brought daily life to a standstill:
- Over 460 traffic lights vandalized
- 46,000 meters of railings removed
- 2,900 square meters of pavement tiles damaged
- 145 MTR and Light Rail stations attacked
- 1,600 fare gates damaged and 1,100 CCTV cameras destroyed
Media as a Tool for Mobilization 📰
Prosecutors say Lai's outlets downplayed violence, amplified tensions and portrayed arson and assaults as acts of "valiant resistance." Through rallies, social media and opinion columns, he allegedly urged demonstrators to "keep resisting" and escalate actions, fueling the unrest.
What's Next?
Lai now faces severe penalties under the national security framework. His case has sparked debates on the boundaries of press freedom and the rule of law in the city. As the story unfolds, eyes will be on the appeal process and its impact on Hong Kong's media landscape.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. 📲
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
