【Ming Pao Special】Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital and three Apple Daily companies, is charged with colluding with foreign forces. On the 105th day of the trial, it was mentioned that after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Lai had said in an interview program that “one cannot directly do certain things”, leading the defense to inquire whether Lai had covertly advocated for sanctions, blockades, or other hostile actions post-law implementation; Lai denied these allegations, stating, “I don’t know how to conceal [such actions].” Additionally, Lai confirmed that “Lion Head”, whom he had written about as “always working for the CCP”, refers to the cross-media worker, John Shum.

The defense’s questions focused on events between July 2 and July 5, 2020, right after the implementation of the National Security Law, including talk shows hosted by Lai, articles he wrote, tweets (now called X), and communications with his assistant Mark Simon (see other articles). According to the defense’s presentation, on July 2, 2020, Lai co-hosted a Next Media program “People’s Classroom” with Simon Lau, during which Lai described the National Security Law’s “red lines” as vague, mentioning the need to “find a way around” or operate “under the table”.

Lai Claims Need to Operate “Under the Table” Post-National Security Law and Denies Covert Advocacy for Sanctions 

Lai stated that “one cannot directly do certain things” meant to disguise actions being taken. Later, defense attorney Kwan Man Wai inquired if, after the implementation of the National Security Law, Lai had directly or covertly advocated for sanctions. Lai responded negatively, countering, “How can you disguise sanctions with something else?”

Moreover, the defense displayed Lai’s article “Fly, the Spine of Conscience Holds Us”, published in an Apple Daily column on July 5, 2020, which mentioned “Not only am I intimidated… for example, a famous couple I know were introduced by John Chan Koon-chung to meet a gentleman. This ‘Brother Lion Head’, who once posed as a democrat, has always been working for the CCP, and with the introduction of the National Security Law became a CCP enforcer, locking the door and intimidating my friends’ couple for seven hours…”

Lai explained that the “intimidated couple for seven hours” were Simon Lau and his wife, information he obtained directly from Lau; the “Brother Lion Head” mentioned in the article was John Shum, and Lai’s accusation of Shum “always working for the CCP” was based on speculation.

Judge Alex Lee Wan-tang expressed concern over Lai’s accusation that Shum “always worked for the CCP,” asking on what basis Lai made this claim. Lai responded, “I think it’s based on his (Shum’s) actions; I’m just speculating.” Judge Susana Maria D’Almada Remedios inquired if Lau had indicated to Lai that the intimidation was orchestrated by the CCP; Lai said that both he and Lau suspected it was the CCP’s doing, describing this deduction as logical. Subsequently, Judge Alex Lee Wan-tang expressed further interest in the phrase from the program transcript, “not only am I intimidated,” asking “Who is threatening you?” Lai explained that the conditions under the National Security Law posed a threat to him.

Relayed ‘No Intimidation’ Message Likely Penned by John Chan Koon-chung 

Lai further testified that three days after the article’s publication, he forwarded a message to former Democratic Party Chairman Albert Ho, stating, “The famous couple went to ‘Brother Lion Head’s’ house for dinner on their own… the scene also included a couple from Vancouver friends of ‘Brother Lion Head’… where’s the intimidation with so many people present?” Lai stated he received the aforementioned message from somewhere, believing its contents were penned by writer John Chan Koon-chung; he forwarded the text to Ho because he thought Ho was also present when Lau recounted the intimidation. The defense queried why Lai did not forward the text to Lau; Lai stated he believed Lau’s account and forwarding the message would appear as if he did not trust him.

Claims to Glance Over Numerous Twitter Posts 

Lai previously claimed that columnist Simon Lee, who managed his Twitter account and posted some tweets on his behalf, resigned the day after the National Security Law was implemented. Lai added that Lee continued to manage his Twitter until a replacement was found, which ultimately never happened because “no one wanted to do this because of the National Security Law,” according to Lai. From the account’s inception at the end of May 2020 until the closure of Apple Daily in June 2021, Lai posted over 900 tweets. Steve Kwan asked Lai how many of those he had read; Lai could not answer, stating he “mostly just glanced at the tweets retweeted by my account.” The trial continues today.