Jimmy Lai Seeks Jury Trial in Defamation Lawsuit Against Pro-Beijing Paper, Citing Public Interest

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 … Read more

Jimmy Lai to Testify in His Own Defense at Pivotal Hong Kong National Security Trial

Hong Kong – Jimmy Lai, a prominent publisher and pro-democracy advocate, is set to testify in his own defense in a high-stakes trial that has become emblematic of the sweeping national security crackdown in Hong Kong. Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, faces charges that could lead to life imprisonment, underscorting the drastic pivot in the region’s judicial atmosphere since the national security law was enacted by Beijing in 2020. The trial, which has drawn international concern and condemnation, highlights the tension between the semi-autonomous city’s legacy of free speech and the … Read more