Post by : Saif Rahman

Media mogul Jimmy Lai made an appearance in Hong Kong's High Court on Monday for a crucial mitigation hearing, marking the last phase before his sentencing in a significant national security trial. The 78-year-old pro-democracy advocate is at risk of receiving a life sentence following his conviction last month.

The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily was found guilty of conspiring to collude with foreign powers and publishing seditious material under the national security law imposed by China. He has consistently denied all allegations.

The trial has garnered global scrutiny, with notable criticism from the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States. However, Hong Kong officials assert that the trial was conducted fairly and claim that the national security law has played a role in restoring order in the city.

During the hearing, Lai's legal team petitioned for a reduced sentence. According to the guidelines of the national security law, the sentencing range could span from 10 years to life. Lai was positioned in a glass dock alongside eight other defendants, separated from the public by prison personnel.

Prosecutors expressed concerns regarding Lai's health, referencing a medical report dated January 9, which indicated that his status is "stable." Several witnesses for the prosecution, including Andy Li and Wayland Chan Tsz-wah, provided vital testimony against him.

Lai has been a long-time critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a defender of press freedom in Hong Kong. Judges have indicated that he used Apple Daily to advocate against the CCP, even at the risk of public interest within China and Hong Kong.

The mitigation hearing has drawn significant public interest, with nearly 100 supporters queuing outside the court, some having camped for days to show their backing. Many assert that Lai has committed no wrongdoings.

The case has also caught international eyes, with former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to release Lai, calling him a "positive activist," yet did not receive a response.

The outcome of this mitigation hearing will play a critical role in determining Lai's final sentence and could have far-reaching implications for media freedom, civil rights, and the future of pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong.

#Global News