6 Feb 2025法庭線#4488
Jimmy Lai case | Prosecution questions whether Lai contacted Lau Chor-dik to persuade him to take part in international lobbying; Lai denies this, saying it was to quell violence by the militant faction
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周四（6 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 129 日審訊，黎第 37 日作供。
針對黎供稱，「攬炒巴」劉祖廸對勇武派有很大影響力，聯絡他唯一目的是尋求協助，組織領袖團隊、平息暴力。控方展示多篇與劉相關的《蘋果》報道，指當中沒提及劉跟勇武派有關，而是集中講述劉的國際工作，質疑黎是希望對方參與國際游說；黎否認，重申劉在「連登」冒起，「每人都知道他是勇武派精神領袖」。案件周五（7 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, who is charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, began the 129th day of his trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, temporarily serving as the High Court, on Thursday (6th). It was Lai’s 37th day giving evidence.
Lai testified that Lau Chor-dik, known as “攬炒巴”, had considerable influence among the militant faction, and that the sole purpose of contacting him was to seek help in organising a leadership team and quelling violence. The prosecution presented several Apple Daily reports related to Lau, pointing out that they did not mention any connection between Lau and the militant faction, but instead focused on his international work. The prosecution questioned whether Lai wanted Lau to take part in international lobbying. Lai denied this, reiterating that Lau rose to prominence on LIHKG and that “everyone knew he was the spiritual leader of the militant faction”. The trial will continue on Friday (7th).
5 Feb 2025法庭線#4485
Lai Chee-ying, Who Earlier Said He Paid No Attention to Primaries, Admits Under Questioning He Cared and Was Willing to Pay to Test Voting Programme
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周二（4 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 127 日審訊，黎第 35 日作供。黎在控方提問下表示，相信陳梓華在勇武派有一定重要性，與對方聯絡只為平息勇武派暴力。
控方質疑，黎在陳赴英期間，安排他與人權組織「香港監察」創辦人羅傑斯等人見面，目的不僅為平息暴力；黎稱，不是他說的每句話、做的每件事，都必須為平息暴力，反問「難道我叫他去廁所，也為了平息暴力嗎？你太瘋狂了！」
控方又問羅傑斯是否游說制裁、與香港敵對，黎斥控方多次把話強加諸於其口，形容「無恥無信」，官聞言喝止，提醒黎控制情緒，若不同意控方案情，只需表示不同意。案件周三（5 日）續審。
Apple Daily founder Lai Chee-ying, charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, testified for the 35th day on Tuesday (4th) as the 127th day of his trial began at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court. In response to prosecution questioning, Lai said he believed Chan Tsz-wah held a certain degree of importance within the militant camp, and that he contacted Chan only to quell violence by the militant camp.
The prosecution challenged Lai over arranging meetings for Chan with Benedict Rogers, founder of the human rights organisation Hong Kong Watch, and others while Chan was in Britain, suggesting the purpose was not merely to quell violence. Lai said not every word he said or everything he did had to be for that purpose, asking: “Does that mean if I tell him to go to the toilet, it is also to quell violence? You’re too crazy!”
The prosecution also asked whether Rogers lobbied for sanctions and was hostile towards Hong Kong. Lai accused the prosecution of repeatedly putting words into his mouth and described it as “shameless and without credibility”. The judge stopped him and reminded him to control his emotions, saying that if he disagreed with the prosecution’s proposition, he only needed to say so. The trial continues on Wednesday (5th).
4 Feb 2025法庭線#4482
Jimmy Lai case | Prosecution questions purpose of Lai introducing Benedict Rogers to Chan Tsz-wah; Lai rebuked for calling prosecution “shameless and untrustworthy”
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周二（4 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 127 日審訊，黎第 35 日作供。黎在控方提問下表示，相信陳梓華在勇武派有一定重要性，與對方聯絡只為平息勇武派暴力。
控方質疑，黎在陳赴英期間，安排他與人權組織「香港監察」創辦人羅傑斯等人見面，目的不僅為平息暴力；黎稱，不是他說的每句話、做的每件事，都必須為平息暴力，反問「難道我叫他去廁所，也為了平息暴力嗎？你太瘋狂了！」
控方又問羅傑斯是否游說制裁、與香港敵對，黎斥控方多次把話強加諸於其口，形容「無恥無信」，官聞言喝止，提醒黎控制情緒，若不同意控方案情，只需表示不同意。案件周三（5 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai, charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences, gave evidence for the 35th day on Tuesday (the 4th), the 127th day of the trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court. Under questioning by the prosecution, Lai said he believed Chan Tsz-wah held some importance among the militant camp, and that he contacted Chan only to ease violence by the militant camp.
The prosecution questioned whether Lai’s arranging for Chan to meet Benedict Rogers, founder of the human rights organisation Hong Kong Watch, and others while Chan was in the UK had purposes beyond easing the violence. Lai said not everything he said or did had to be aimed at easing violence, asking, “Are you saying that even if I asked him to go to the toilet, it was to ease violence? You’re being crazy!”
The prosecution also asked whether Rogers had lobbied for sanctions and was hostile towards Hong Kong. Lai accused the prosecution of repeatedly putting words into his mouth and described it as “shameless and untrustworthy”. The judge stopped him and reminded him to control his emotions, saying that if he disagreed with the prosecution’s position, he only needed to say so. The trial continues on Wednesday (the 5th).
3 Feb 2025法庭線#4478
Jimmy Lai case: Prosecution says visiting grandchildren was pretext for US trip to meet officials; Lai denies concealing itinerary from court
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周一（3 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 126 日審訊，黎第 34 日作供。控方指，黎於 2020 年牽涉一宗刑事恐嚇案，保釋期間不得離港，質疑他以探孫為藉口，申請同年 6 月至 7 月離境，故意向法庭隱瞞赴美為見官員；黎否認。
控方又質疑，黎明知《國安法》生效，仍打算往美國游說。黎否認，重申是疏忽，忘記法例已生效，指「我會這麼愚蠢，在《國安法》生效後仍與彭斯見面嗎？」。案件周二（4 日）續審。
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences, began the 126th day of his trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, on Monday (the 3rd). It was his 34th day giving evidence. The prosecution said Lai was involved in a criminal intimidation case in 2020 and was barred from leaving Hong Kong while on bail. It questioned whether he had used visiting his grandchildren as a pretext to apply to leave Hong Kong from June to July that year, and deliberately concealed from the court that he was going to the United States to meet officials. Lai denied this.
The prosecution also questioned whether Lai had intended to lobby in the United States despite knowing that the National Security Law had taken effect. Lai denied this, reiterating that it was an oversight and that he had forgotten the law was already in force. He said: “Would I be so stupid as to meet Pence after the National Security Law had taken effect?” The trial will continue on Tuesday (the 4th).
24 Jan 2025法庭線#4463
Jimmy Lai case｜Emails mention Kwok Wai-kin and Luo Huining; Lai confirms former US officials advocated sanctions against both
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周五（24 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 125 日審訊，黎第 33 日作供。
控方第 7 日盤問，問及《馬格尼茨基人權法案》，黎供稱大致了解與制裁有關，但不清楚詳情。控方展示一系列電郵紀錄，有美前官員分別提到法官郭偉健、中聯辦前主任駱惠寧，黎確認美前官員提倡制裁兩人，而他在電郵回覆「好主意」，僅表達鼓勵、欣賞。
另外，黎確認於《國安法》實施前，原不同意撤銷香港特殊地位，但《國安法》實施後改為同意，否認想法變得激進，而是變得悲觀。控方指，黎不在意犧牲香港利益，屬「攬炒」；黎稱指香港在《國安法》實施後已被犧牲，沒有利益可言。案件押至 2 月 3 日續審。
Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, charged with “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” and other offences, entered the 125th day of his trial on Friday (24th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court. It was Lai’s 33rd day giving evidence.
On the seventh day of cross-examination, the prosecution asked about the Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Lai said he broadly understood that it was related to sanctions but was unclear about the details. The prosecution presented a series of email records in which former US officials separately mentioned Judge Kwok Wai-kin and former Liaison Office director Luo Huining. Lai confirmed that the former US officials had advocated sanctioning the two men, and that his reply in an email saying “good idea” was merely an expression of encouragement and appreciation.
Lai also confirmed that before the National Security Law came into force, he had originally disagreed with revoking Hong Kong’s special status, but agreed after its implementation. He denied that his thinking had become radical, saying instead that he had become pessimistic. The prosecution said Lai did not care about sacrificing Hong Kong’s interests and was pursuing a “mutual destruction” approach. Lai said Hong Kong had already been sacrificed after the National Security Law came into force and that there were no interests left to speak of. The case was adjourned to 3 February for continuation.
23 Jan 2025法庭線#4457
Jimmy Lai case | Lai says he was not interested in US Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, admits under questioning he supported its passage
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周四（23 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 124 日審訊，黎第 32 日作供。
控方展示黎與助手 Mark Simon 通訊，問黎對美國《香港人權與民主法案》的看法。黎稱對《法案》不感興趣，認為只是學術討論，無實際作用，通過後往往無人跟進。法官指，美國後來實施制裁，顯示法案獲跟進？黎回應指「我錯了」，並在控方追問下承認支持及希望《法案》通過。
另外，法官關注 Mark Simon 與美國政界的聯繫。黎指，Mark Simon 與美國政府關係並不密切，他只是認識前官員。法官質疑，黎作為僱主，為何不關心 Mark Simon 怎能獲邀出席美國國安委會議，黎稱認為這並非大事，他不清楚亦沒過問。案件周五（24 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai, who faces charges including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, gave evidence for the 32nd day on Thursday (23rd) as the trial entered its 124th day at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court.
The prosecution showed communications between Lai and his assistant Mark Simon and asked Lai about his views on the US Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. Lai said he was not interested in the Act, considering it merely an academic discussion with no practical effect, and that such measures were often not followed up after being passed. The judge pointed out that the United States later imposed sanctions, indicating that the Act had been followed up. Lai replied, “I was wrong,” and acknowledged under questioning by the prosecution that he supported and hoped the Act would be passed.
The judge also focused on Mark Simon’s links with US political circles. Lai said Mark Simon did not have close ties with the US government and merely knew former officials. The judge questioned why Lai, as his employer, had not been concerned about how Mark Simon had been invited to attend a US National Security Council meeting. Lai said he did not consider it a major matter, and that he did not know about it or ask about it. The trial will continue on Friday (24th).
22 Jan 2025集誌社#4449
National Security Wanted List | National security police take away Chung Kim-wah’s younger siblings and sister-in-law; eight former colleagues and relatives investigated within 10 days
國安警早前懸紅 100 萬元，通緝香港民研前副行政總裁鐘劍華等六後，民研主席鍾庭耀及職員、鍾劍華的妻子及兒子，已被國安警調查。據了解，今（22日） 早上，國安警再帶走鍾劍華的三名弟妹，到警署調查。十日內，已有八位鍾劍華的前同事、親人被國安警調查。
National security police earlier placed a HK$1 million bounty on six people, including former Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute deputy chief executive Chung Kim-wah. The institute’s chairman Chung Ting-yiu and staff members, as well as Chung Kim-wah’s wife and son, have been investigated by national security police. It is understood that this morning (the 22nd), national security police again took three of Chung Kim-wah’s younger siblings and siblings-in-law to a police station for investigation. Within 10 days, eight of Chung Kim-wah’s former colleagues and relatives have been investigated by national security police.
22 Jan 2025法庭線#4455
Jimmy Lai case | Lai wrote urging US to revoke visas of Chinese and Hong Kong officials’ children; agrees under questioning it was a sanction
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周三（22 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 123 日審訊，黎第 31 日作供。
控方指，黎於 2019 年 7 月出席保衛民主基金會對談時，主持提到「《逃犯條例》並非關於有謀殺犯逃到香港的問題」，而是為了將北京政敵送返內地，問黎為何沒即時糾正。黎否認故意誤導，指他同意謀殺案僅修例的藉口。他在法官追問下指，若只針對謀殺犯，不會有過百萬市民上街抗議。法官質疑，示威者可能如黎一樣有誤解？黎指，法官可這樣說，但他不同意。
控方又指，黎分別在不同文章，呼籲美國拒向中共和香港官員子女發學生簽證、甚至要求撤銷他們的簽證，問黎的提議是否越趨激進？黎同意，並在法官詢問下認同，撤銷簽證屬制裁一部分。案件周四（23 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai, charged with “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” and other offences, began the 123rd day of his trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting temporarily as the High Court, on Wednesday (22nd). It was Lai’s 31st day giving evidence.
The prosecution said that when Lai attended a Foundation for Defense of Democracies discussion in July 2019, the moderator said that the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance was “not about the problem of a murderer fleeing to Hong Kong”, but was intended to return Beijing’s political opponents to the mainland, and asked why Lai had not immediately corrected the statement. Lai denied deliberately misleading people, saying he agreed that the murder case was merely an excuse for amending the law. In response to questions from the judge, he said that if the amendment had targeted only murderers, more than a million people would not have taken to the streets to protest. The judge questioned whether the demonstrators might have misunderstood the issue in the same way as Lai; Lai said the judge could put it that way, but he disagreed.
The prosecution also said that, in separate articles, Lai had urged the United States to refuse student visas to the children of Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong officials and had even called for their visas to be revoked, asking whether his proposals had become increasingly radical. Lai agreed and, in response to the judge’s questions, accepted that revoking the visas was part of sanctions. The trial will continue on Thursday (23rd).
22 Jan 2025法庭線#4456
36-year-old man charged over seditious Facebook posts, remanded until March 3
一名 36 歲男子被指於 2024 年 3 月至今年 1 月，於 Facebook 發布過百則煽動帖文、圖片等，被控一項「明知而發布具煽動意圖的刊物」罪，案件周三（22 日）於西九龍裁判法院首次提堂。
控方由高級檢控官李庭偉代表，申請押後案件至 3 月 3 日，以待警方進一步調查，又提到警方搜獲另一部電腦，須調查是否有涉案資料，被告暫時毋須答辯。被告由當值律師代表，沒有保釋申請，不反對押後。總裁判官蘇惠德把案件押後至 3 月 3 日再訊，被告還押候訊。
A 36-year-old man was accused of publishing more than 100 seditious posts and images on Facebook between March 2024 and January this year. He was charged with one count of knowingly publishing a publication with a seditious intention. The case was brought before the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for the first time on Wednesday (22nd).
The prosecution, represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Ting Wai Lee, applied to adjourn the case until March 3 for further police investigation. The prosecution also said police had seized another computer and needed to investigate whether it contained material related to the case. The defendant was not required to enter a plea at this stage. Represented by duty counsel, he did not apply for bail and did not oppose the adjournment. Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak adjourned the case until March 3 for mention, and remanded the defendant in custody.
21 Jan 2025法庭線#4448
Lai Chee-ying case｜Pan-democrats lobbied the US over Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendments; Lai confirms arranging Kurt Tong’s assistance, prosecution questions lobbying for sanctions
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，周二（21 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 122 日審訊，黎第 30 日作供。
控方引述黎訊息顯示，前政務司司長陳方安生於 2019 年 3 月，與時任美國副總統彭斯會面前，曾與美國前駐港總領事郭明瀚會面。郭明瀚事後報告黎智英，陳方安生席間關注《引渡條例》修訂，他建議陳方安生到美國國會山莊時，集中討論這議題。黎否認安排兩人見面，亦否認著郭明瀚為陳方安生提供建議。
黎同月另向民主黨創黨主席李柱銘發訊指，「現在似乎是遊說華府的好時機」。他確認安排郭明瀚協助泛民主派，同年 5 月就修訂《逃犯條例》一事赴美遊說，並於盤問下確認，他向李柱銘等人指郭明瀚義務協助，自己則私下自願向對方付酬勞。控方質疑，訪美行程目的之一，是提出制裁港府。黎指自己沒參與行程，不知道。案件周三（22 日）續審。
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai is charged with, among other offences, conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. On Tuesday (21), the trial entered its 122nd day at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, with Lai giving evidence for the 30th day.
The prosecution cited Lai’s messages showing that, before former Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan met then US Vice-President Mike Pence in March 2019, she had met former US Consul General to Hong Kong Kurt Tong. Tong subsequently reported to Lai that Chan had raised concerns about amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance during the meeting. He advised Chan to focus on the issue when she visited Capitol Hill in the United States. Lai denied arranging the meeting between the two and denied instructing Tong to advise Chan.
Later that month, Lai sent a message to Democratic Party founding chairman Martin Lee saying, “It now seems to be a good time to lobby Washington.” He confirmed arranging for Tong to assist the pan-democratic camp, which went to the United States in May that year to lobby over amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. Under cross-examination, he also confirmed telling Lee and others that Tong was assisting on a voluntary basis, while he privately volunteered to pay Tong remuneration. The prosecution questioned whether one purpose of the visit to the United States was to call for sanctions against the Hong Kong government. Lai said he did not take part in the trip and did not know. The hearing will continue on Wednesday (22).
Translations are supplied by the source workbook. Consult the original reporting for context.
