On December 15, a panel of three judges in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delivered the verdict in the conspiracy case against media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and three companies tied to the now-defunct Apple Daily. Local outlet Sing Tao Daily reported the court flagged eight false statements Lai made while defending himself. Here’s the rundown:
1. Concealed true purpose of his U.S. trip ✈️
In May 2020, Lai got bail on condition he stay in HKSAR. Yet he applied to travel to the U.S. from June 24 to July 19, 2020, citing family visits, business talks and a hotel deal—omitting meetings with U.S. officials in Washington (July 4–11). He later admitted he hid this as it was “too politically sensitive.”
2. Denied knowing IPAC 🕵️
Despite reposting tweets from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) with #IPACGlobal, Lai claimed in court he’d “never heard of” the group. WhatsApp records showed he exchanged messages with IPAC cofounder Luke de Pulford, disproving his denial.
3. Downplayed editorial instructions 📰
Lai initially said he gave only two editorials orders at Apple Daily. But messages from April to June 2019 revealed he regularly directed coverage to stir protests, urge reader letters and shape public sympathy for the anti-extradition movement.
4. Denied knowledge of the illegal primary election 🗳️
In December 2019, Lai told a witness he knew nothing about the pro-democracy camp’s “primaries.” Court evidence showed he asked an associate to source online voting software and offered to cover expenses—forcing Lai to admit his false claim.
5. Claimed no link to the “Lam Chau Team” 🤝
Lai insisted he knew nothing of the so-called “mutual destruction squad” led by Finn Lau Cho-dik (“Brother Lam Chau”). But he’d met Lau in Taipei in January 2020 and later tweeted “Salute to Brother Lam Chau,” admitting under questioning he must have known.
6. Denied requesting U.S. sanctions 🇺🇸
At a July 2019 meeting with then-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary Mike Pompeo, Lai denied raising sanctions. A July 25, 2019 Apple Daily report showed he urged Pompeo to sanction HKSAR and mainland officials—Lai later said he’d simply “forgotten.”
7. Covered up Elmer Yuen video plan 🎥
Lai claimed he was unaware of activist Elmer Yuen’s open-letter video calling for U.S. sanctions. But draft copies sent to him two hours before filming, and his “This is a good letter” reply, proved he knew the content.
8. Denied Apple Daily’s role in his talk show 🎙️
Lai said his online show “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai” was a personal project, separate from Apple Daily. Evidence showed staff helped produce and promote it, and resources were routinely allocated by the paper’s leaders.
The court’s findings mark a pivotal moment in this high-profile HKSAR trial, exposing deliberate misstatements by Lai. The verdict sets the stage for the next chapter in a case that has captivated the region’s media and netizens alike.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
