21 Feb 2025法庭線#4547
Hong Kong Alliance incitement to subversion case | Trial delayed six months to November; Albert Ho plans to plead guilty; three remanded for over 1,000 days
支聯會及其前正副主席李卓人、何俊仁、鄒幸彤被控「煽動顛覆國家政權」案，周五（21 日）在高院召開第一次審前覆核。法官李運騰指原定 5 月開審，但因另案超時已不可行，目前最早可排期 11 月審理，形容延期是「萬不得已」，法庭「非常之抱歉」。
辯方表示，何俊仁擬改為認罪，正與控方商討，官限 14 天內書面提出。自行應訊的鄒幸彤則稱，擬提出「撤銷公訴書」申請，稱控方「根本無提供案情畀我哋」、「唔知非法手段係咩，唔知點準備」，另就專家證供提出申請。官訂定在 11 月開審之前，先處理鄒的申請。
本案由 2021 年 9 月首次提堂，歷經鄒幸彤提出的初級偵訊、共 5 次提訊日，在 2022 年 9 月正式交付高院，而高院至去年 8 月才定出於今年 5 月開審，現需延期（時序表見內文）。李、何、鄒均曾向高院申請保釋，只有何一度獲准，3 人至今均已還押逾一千天。
The case in which the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and its former chairpersons and vice-chairpersons Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung are charged with “incitement to subvert state power” came before the High Court on Friday (21st) for its first pre-trial review. Judge Li Yunteng said the trial had originally been scheduled for May, but that was no longer feasible because another case had overrun. The earliest available date was now November. He described the adjournment as “a last resort” and said the court was “extremely sorry”.
The defence said Albert Ho intended to change his plea to guilty and was discussing the matter with the prosecution. The judge ordered that written submissions be made within 14 days. Chow Hang-tung, who is representing herself, said she intended to apply to quash the indictment, saying the prosecution had “basically not provided us with the details of the case”, that she did not know what the unlawful means were or how to prepare. She also applied in relation to expert evidence. The judge directed that Chow’s applications be dealt with before the trial in November.
The case was first brought before the court in September 2021. It has gone through a preliminary inquiry initiated by Chow Hang-tung and five mention dates, before being committed to the High Court in September 2022. The High Court did not set a trial date until August last year, scheduling the trial for May this year. It now has to be postponed; see the timeline in the main article. Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung have all applied for bail in the High Court. Only Ho was granted bail for a period, and the three have now each been remanded for more than 1,000 days.
20 Feb 2025法庭線#4544
Jimmy Lai case | Column said protests were the “last effort”; prosecution questions disregard for constructive dialogue — Lai: “If there wasn’t any, how could I mention it?”
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周四（20 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 136 日審訊，黎第 44 日作供。控方展示黎專欄文章，提到「特首高官對我們蔑視的態度」，質疑這是黎的偏見。黎指，這是他對實況的評估，又指文章是「我手寫我心」。
就文章提到「站出來遊行作最後努力」，黎確認主張公眾示威反對政府，保護家園。控方質疑，黎無視與政府進行建設性對話？黎指，沒有其他建設性對話，「又如何在文中提到？」。案件下周一（24 日）早上續審，下午則不開庭，待黎在庭內閱讀涉案刊物。
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai is charged with “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” and other offences. The trial entered its 136th day on Thursday (20th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, temporarily acting as the High Court, with Lai giving evidence for the 44th day. The prosecution presented a column by Lai referring to “the contemptuous attitude of the Chief Executive and senior officials towards us”, and questioned whether this reflected Lai’s prejudice. Lai said it was his assessment of the reality, adding that the article was “what I wrote from my heart”.
Regarding the article’s reference to “taking to the streets to demonstrate as a last effort”, Lai confirmed that he advocated public demonstrations opposing the government to protect people’s homes. The prosecution questioned whether Lai had disregarded constructive dialogue with the government. Lai said there was no other constructive dialogue, asking, “If there wasn’t any, how could I mention it in the article?” The trial will resume on Monday morning (24th), while there will be no hearing in the afternoon as Lai is to read publications related to the case in court.
19 Feb 2025法庭線#4537
Jimmy Lai case | Column saying “CCP steps up brainwashing of students” questioned as incitement; Lai: compulsory patriotic education turns truth upside down
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周三（19 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）第 135 日審訊，黎第 43 日作供。
控方引黎專欄文章指，內容提到「逆權運動正促使中共加強對學生換頭洗腦」，問黎的指控有何基礎、是否其猜測。黎供稱，香港因「反送中」運動展開「愛國教育」，形容是洗腦過程，又指若人民自願愛國是高尚，但強制制行愛國教育，「把僕人置於主人之上是錯誤，顛倒真理」。
控方指，黎在文中另提及爭取特赦示威者，質疑他沒譴責暴力。黎則指，他有提及有黑衣人「裝修」滙豐銀行，懷疑是否真正示威者，亦屬間接譴責暴力。控方最後指出，黎藉文章煽動暴力、對中央及港府的仇恨，黎一概不同意。案件周四（20 日）續審。
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences, gave evidence for the 43rd day on Wednesday (19th) of his trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, sitting temporarily as the High Court. It was the 135th day of the trial.
The prosecution referred to a column by Lai stating that “the anti-extradition movement is prompting the CCP to step up brainwashing of students”, and asked what basis he had for the allegation and whether it was speculation. Lai testified that Hong Kong launched “patriotic education” because of the anti-extradition movement, describing it as a brainwashing process. He said voluntary patriotism was noble, but compulsory patriotic education was wrong: “Putting the servant above the master is wrong; it turns truth upside down.”
The prosecution said Lai had also mentioned seeking an amnesty for protesters in the column, and questioned whether he had condemned violence. Lai said he had mentioned people in black “renovating” HSBC, questioned whether they were genuine protesters, and said this also amounted to an indirect condemnation of violence. The prosecution ultimately alleged that Lai had used the article to incite violence and hatred against the central authorities and the Hong Kong government. Lai disagreed with all of this. The trial will continue on Thursday (20th).
18 Feb 2025法庭線#4531
Jimmy Lai case | Lai wrote that militant protesters should have “red lines”; prosecution questions lack of condemnation or call to stop violence
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周二（18 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）第 134 日審訊，黎第 42 日作供。針對黎早前供稱，其直播訪談節目與《蘋果》無關，控方引訊息指，節目是由《蘋果》員工製作、宣傳及發布。黎確認，但強調這是其個人節目，員工只提供協助。
控方另問及黎專欄文章，當中提到「勇武派是時候組織領袖團隊」，質疑黎供稱倡和平示威，但沒於文章譴責或呼籲停止暴力。黎指，勇武派組織領袖團隊，便會有原則、底線控制暴力，又指若呼籲停止暴力，勇武派不會聆聽。
控方質疑黎意圖向讀者煽動暴力，黎否認，又指「我認為你最好不要浪費時間去捏造事情」。官指這是法庭的判斷，著黎只需回答問題。案件周三（19 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai is charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences. On Tuesday (18th), the 134th day of his trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, Lai gave evidence for the 42nd day. In response to his earlier testimony that his live-streamed interview programme was unrelated to Apple Daily, the prosecution cited messages indicating that the programme was produced, promoted and published by Apple Daily staff. Lai confirmed this, but stressed that it was his personal programme and that the staff only provided assistance.
The prosecution also questioned Lai about a column in which he wrote that “it is time for the militant protesters to organise a leadership team”, questioning why he had not condemned violence or called for it to stop despite testifying that he advocated peaceful protests. Lai said that if the militant protesters organised a leadership team, there would be principles and red lines to control the violence. He also said that if he called for the violence to stop, the militant protesters would not listen.
The prosecution put it to Lai that he intended to incite readers to violence. Lai denied this and said, “I think you had better not waste time fabricating things.” The judge said that this was for the court to determine and told Lai only to answer the questions. The trial will continue on Wednesday (19th).
17 Feb 2025集誌社#4523
National security police take Liu Ka-man’s younger paternal aunt away for questioning; three family members investigated in one week
去年平安夜，國安警懸紅各 100 萬元，通緝劉珈汶等六人。據了解，國安警今（17日）到屯門一單位，帶走一名劉姓女士到警署協助調查，據悉該人為劉的細姑姐，她下午近一時離開警署；警方上周一（10日）已帶走劉的另一名姑姐及姑丈調查。
On Christmas Eve last year, national security police offered rewards of $1 million each for information leading to the arrests of six people, including Liu Ka-man. According to sources, national security police went to a flat in Tuen Mun today (17th) and took a woman surnamed Liu to a police station to assist with an investigation. The woman was reportedly Liu’s younger paternal aunt and left the police station at nearly 1pm. Police had already taken another of Liu’s paternal aunts and her husband away for questioning last Monday (10th).
11 Feb 2025法庭線#4506
Jimmy Lai case | Lai testifies, calls himself a “political prisoner”; judge says he is on trial over criminal charges and warns against bringing politics into court
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周二（11 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 132 日審訊，黎第 40 日作供。
控方針對「香港議會」發起人袁弓夷在《蘋果》影片提問，袁在片中致函美國總統特朗普和時任國務卿蓬佩奧。控方指，其中一段片段標題為「促美國務卿懲中共罪犯解放香港」，黎指當時沒有留意標題，亦對袁的影片沒有興趣，不知影片內容，重申只是為對方提供《蘋果》作為發布平台。
另外，黎供稱不知其專欄文章被譯成英文，控方引下屬張劍虹向黎發訊指，會找人翻譯其文章。黎稱，當時忽略了訊息，否認向法庭撒謊，又指其文章被翻譯成英文不是罪，「但在法庭說謊是罪，你覺得我會把合法的事變成非法，讓自己被定罪來顯示我不僅是政治犯，還是個白痴嗎？」，官斥黎因刑事指控受審，警告勿把政治帶入法庭。案件周三（12 日）續審。
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, was charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences. On Tuesday (11th), the trial entered its 132nd day at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, with Lai giving evidence for the 40th day.
The prosecution questioned Lai about Hong Kong Parliament founder Elmer Yuen’s appearances in Apple Daily videos, in which Yuen wrote to US President Donald Trump and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The prosecution said one video was titled “Urging the US Secretary of State to punish CCP criminals and liberate Hong Kong”. Lai said he had not noticed the title at the time, was not interested in Yuen’s videos and did not know their content. He reiterated that he had merely provided Apple Daily as a platform for Yuen to publish.
Lai also testified that he did not know his opinion articles had been translated into English. The prosecution referred to a message from his subordinate Cheung Kim-hung saying that someone would be found to translate his articles. Lai said he had overlooked the message and denied lying to the court. He said translating his articles into English was not a crime, but added: “But lying in court is a crime. Do you think I would turn something lawful into something unlawful, have myself convicted, just to show that I am not only a political prisoner but also an idiot?” The judge rebuked Lai, saying he was on trial over criminal charges, and warned against bringing politics into court. The trial will continue on Wednesday (12th).
10 Feb 2025法庭線#4502
47-case | Court of Appeal to handle 14 defendants’ applications for leave to appeal and DOJ appeal against Lawrence Wai Chung Lau’s acquittal from July 14; expected to take 10 days
民主派初選 47 人案，45 名「串謀顛覆國家政權」罪成的被告，去年 11 月 19 日被判囚 4 年 2 個月至 10 年，當中何桂藍、陳志全、梁國雄、鄒家成等 12 名不認罪被告，提出定罪及或刑罰上訴；黃子悅、譚得志兩名選擇認罪的被告則提刑期上訴。
司法機構網頁最新顯示，上訴庭將在 7 月 14 日開始處理 14 人的上訴許可申請，以及律政司就劉偉聰無罪裁決提出的案件呈述方式上訴，料需時 10 天。網頁暫未顯示審理法官名單。申請上訴的 14 人及劉偉聰的刑期、判詞重點，詳見另稿。
In the 47-person pro-democracy primary election case, 45 defendants convicted of conspiracy to subvert state power were sentenced to between four years and two months and 10 years’ imprisonment on November 19 last year. Twelve defendants who had pleaded not guilty, including Gwyneth Ho, Ray Chan, Leung Kwok-hung and Owen Chow, filed appeals against their convictions and/or sentences. Prince Wong Ji-yuet and Tam Tak-chi, who had pleaded guilty, filed appeals against their sentences.
The Judiciary’s website shows that the Court of Appeal will begin handling the 14 defendants’ applications for leave to appeal on July 14, along with the Department of Justice’s appeal by way of case stated against Lawrence Wai Chung Lau’s acquittal. The proceedings are expected to take 10 days. The website has not yet listed the judges hearing the case. Details of the sentences and key points of the judgments concerning the 14 applicants and Lawrence Wai Chung Lau are covered in a separate report.
10 Feb 2025法庭線#4503
Jimmy Lai case | Lai said in interview that “if the law is amended, the media will have no way to operate”; prosecution questions claims as baseless and misleading to the public
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周一（10 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 131 日審訊，黎第 39 日作供。
控方展示黎於 7.1 立法會衝擊事件後，向下屬陳沛敏發訊指，「明天是否集中做年輕人的心聲，盡量為他們在這件事上爭取市民諒解和支持⋯盡量大做特做令年輕人獲得同情」。黎庭上確認屬編採指示，希望大眾理解示威者，以免破壞這場運動。
另外，控方展示黎受訪稱「倘修例傳媒冇得做」，質疑修例與傳媒無關。黎指，若報道中國新聞，會被視為揭露國家機密；批評中國政府文章就會被指顛覆國家，又指修例前批評中國不會被捕及送往中國內地。控方指，黎對港府和中央作出無根據指控、誤導公眾，黎一概否認。案件周二（11 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who is charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences, appeared on Monday (the 10th) for the 131st day of his trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting temporarily as the High Court. It was Lai’s 39th day giving evidence.
The prosecution presented a message Lai sent to his subordinate Chan Pui-man after the July 1 Legislative Council storming incident, saying: “Should we focus tomorrow on conveying the voices of young people, and do our utmost to win the public’s understanding and support for them over this matter ... and do as much as possible to gain sympathy for young people?” Lai confirmed in court that this was an editorial instruction intended to help the public understand the protesters and prevent the movement from being damaged.
The prosecution also presented an interview in which Lai said, “If the law is amended, the media will have no way to operate,” and questioned the relevance of the amendment to the media. Lai said that reporting Chinese news would be regarded as exposing state secrets, while articles criticising the Chinese government would be considered subversion of the state. He also said that before the amendment, people would not be arrested and sent to mainland China for criticising China. The prosecution said Lai had made baseless allegations against the Hong Kong government and the central government and misled the public. Lai denied all the allegations. The trial will continue on Tuesday (the 11th).
10 Feb 2025法庭線#4504
Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China accused of inciting subversion｜Judge rejects Chow Hang-tung’s application for overseas witness testimony, says Article 23 legislation has “strong public support”
支聯會及其前正副主席李卓人、何俊仁、鄒幸彤被控「煽動顛覆國家政權」一案，鄒去年申請海外證人以視像方直播式作供，並爭議政府推動「23條」立法修例是針對其申請。3 名高院指定法官即日駁回鄒，並於周一（10 日）頒下判決理由。
判詞引案例及條文，指法律前人人平等的權利是指在同一件案件中與訟雙方的待遇，又指 23 條修訂《刑事訴訟程序條例》，令法庭在國安案不得准許海外證人透過直播作供，做法是適用於控辯雙方，沒對辯方不公。
3 官裁定修訂已合理平衡個人權利，符合憲制規定，引政府當局指無法排除證人在海外作供時受騷擾或脅迫，故在國安案一定要排除相關風險；又反駁鄒稱立法會是「橡皮圖章」的說法，指政府的公眾諮詢獲 98.6% 支持及正面意見，「顯示立法具強大民意基礎」，並批評鄒漠視海外人士及組織「鍥而不捨地進行危害國家安全的活動」。
判詞又指，鄒所主張政府立法修例是針對其申請之說純屬臆測，亦認為毋須處理國安委就 23 條立法作出的判斷和決定。
In the case in which the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and its former chairpersons and vice-chairpersons Li Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung are charged with “incitement to subversion of state power”, Chow last year applied for an overseas witness to give evidence by live video link. She also argued that the government’s push to amend the law under “Article 23” was directed at her application. Three designated High Court judges rejected Chow’s application on the same day and handed down their reasons on Monday (the 10th).
Citing cases and statutory provisions, the judgment said that the right to equality before the law means that the parties to the same case must receive equal treatment. It also said that the Article 23 amendments to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, which prevent courts in national security cases from allowing overseas witnesses to testify by live video link, apply to both the prosecution and the defence and do not unfairly prejudice the defence.
The three judges ruled that the amendments had reasonably balanced individual rights and complied with constitutional requirements. Citing the government’s position that the possibility of witnesses being harassed or coerced while testifying overseas could not be ruled out, they said the relevant risks must therefore be excluded in national security cases. They also rejected Chow’s claim that the Legislative Council was a “rubber stamp”, saying that 98.6% of responses to the government’s public consultation expressed support and positive views, which “shows that the legislation has a strong public support base”. They criticised Chow for disregarding overseas individuals and organisations that were “persistently engaged in activities endangering national security”.
The judgment also said that Chow’s claim that the government’s legislative amendments were directed at her application was purely speculative, and held that it was unnecessary to address the judgments and decisions made by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security regarding the Article 23 legislation.
7 Feb 2025法庭線#4491
Jimmy Lai case | Says he did not know IPAC, accused by prosecution of lying three times; Lai denies lying, saying “Knowing about IPAC is not a crime”
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周五（7 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 130 日審訊，黎第 38 日作供。
控方展示黎與「從犯證人」陳梓華於 2020 年 5 月的對話，兩人討論《國安法》即將實施，陳稱擔心黎和家人安全，黎回覆一旦出來參加抗爭，就準備好戰鬥到最後。黎解釋，當時是想安慰對方，否認著對方《國安法》後繼續戰鬥。控方指，黎自稱謹慎，有否提醒對方不要違反《國安法》？黎指陳是成年人，「我又不是他父親」，陳會知道怎樣做。
另外，就黎供稱不認識 「對中政策跨國議會聯盟」（IPAC），控方引用黎與創辦人裴倫德對話，見裴倫德請求黎在《蘋果》刊出與 IPAC 相關文章，又感謝黎在 Twitter 發布與 IPAC 相關帖文。控方指，證據顯示黎當時知悉 IPAC，質疑黎至少三度向法庭撒謊。黎否認，反問「我為何要說謊？知道 IPAC 又不是罪」。案件下周一（10 日）續審。
Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai is charged with conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or external elements and other offences. The trial entered its 130th day on Friday (7th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, with Lai giving evidence for the 38th day.
The prosecution showed conversations between Lai and “accomplice witness” Chan Tsz Wah in May 2020, in which they discussed the impending implementation of the National Security Law. Chan said he was worried about Lai’s and his family’s safety, while Lai replied that if he came out to take part in protests, he should be prepared to fight to the end. Lai explained that he had wanted to comfort Chan at the time, and denied telling him to continue fighting after the National Security Law came into effect. The prosecution asked whether, given that Lai described himself as cautious, he had reminded Chan not to breach the National Security Law. Lai said Chan was an adult and that “I’m not his father”; Chan would know what to do.
On Lai’s testimony that he did not know the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), the prosecution referred to conversations between Lai and its founder Luke de Pulford, in which de Pulford asked Lai to publish articles related to IPAC in Apple Daily and thanked Lai for posting IPAC-related messages on Twitter. The prosecution said the evidence showed that Lai knew about IPAC at the time and questioned whether he had lied to the court at least three times. Lai denied this, asking, “Why would I lie? Knowing about IPAC is not a crime.” The trial will continue next Monday (10th).
Translations are supplied by the source workbook. Consult the original reporting for context.
