Hong Kong – Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, a prominent former media tycoon currently imprisoned, has initiated legal actions requesting a jury trial for his defamation lawsuit against the pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao. Lai’s legal team contends that the significant public interest surrounding this case merits a jury’s involvement to impartially assess the facts.
As the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, Lai’s legal representatives argued in court Thursday that the extensive reach of Ta Kung Pao and Lai’s high-profile status in society necessitate public representation in the judicial process. They believe that a jury comprised of ordinary citizens is best equipped to handle the complexities of the case, despite the extensive documentation involved—a hefty 881-page file slated for the trial.
The legal team highlighted the importance of a transparent and equitable resolution, given the stature of both parties involved. They assert that the public has a vested interest in seeing a fair trial unfold, particularly in a case that pins a well-known pro-democracy figure against a newspaper aligned with Beijing.
During the proceedings, the contentious article published by Ta Kung Pao on June 25, 2020, was pointed out as the lightning rod in the defamation claim. Lai’s lawyers state that the newspaper’s allegations were not only baseless but also inflammatory, thus severely damaging Lai’s reputation.
Madam Justice Queenie Au Yeung Kwai-yue, presiding over the high court, announced she would decide on the matter of involving a jury by October before any further legal actions proceed.
The ongoing legal battles of Lai, involving both his demand for a jury in the defamation case and his high-profile national security case, where he faces charges related to foreign collusion and sedition, have drawn international attention. If the jury trial moves forward for the defamation claim, it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in Hong Kong’s increasingly complex legal landscape under the national security law.
Lai, 76, is currently held in Stanley Prison, a maximum-security facility, under strict conditions as he awaits further proceedings in his separate national security trial. There he is expected to testify in his own defense, a move closely watched by global observers and human rights advocates.
This legal maneuver by Lai underscores the ongoing tensions between pro-democracy activists and Beijing’s increasing influence over Hong Kong’s political and legal systems. The outcome of this legal battle could have broader implications for freedom of the press and speech in the city and might potentially influence future governance in the region.
Observers and analysts are keenly watching how these developments play out, noting that the judicial decisions in these high-profile cases could signal the direction in which Hong Kong’s autonomy and judicial independence are heading.