6 Apr 2024法庭線#3314
Lai Chee-ying case｜Yang Ching-kei’s seven days of testimony: Apple Daily had “caged autonomy”? How did Lai influence the Forum section?
黎智英國安案已展開 50 多日審訊，繼前壹傳媒行政總裁張劍虹、前《蘋果》副社長陳沛敏先後作供，第三名「從犯證人」、前主筆兼論壇版主管楊清奇亦於 3 月中完成 7 日作供。楊清奇形容《蘋果》是「鳥籠自主」，不論是社評或論壇版，都要跟隨黎的觀點，「一定唔會同佢作對」。
另一方面，楊清奇點評部分論壇版作者的寫作角度，例如民主黨創黨主席李柱銘強調法治、民主黨前主席胡志偉支持抗爭、制裁前行政長官林鄭月娥等。《法庭線》整合連日內容，讓讀者更易理解供詞重點。
The national security case against Lai Chee-ying has entered its 50th-plus day of trial. After testimony from former Next Digital chief executive Cheung Kim-hong and former Apple Daily deputy editor-in-chief Chan Pui-man, Yang Ching-kei, the third “accomplice witness” and former chief writer and head of the Forum section, completed seven days of testimony in mid-March. Yang described Apple Daily as having “caged autonomy”, saying that whether in editorials or the Forum section, it had to follow Lai’s views and “would definitely not oppose him”.
Meanwhile, Yang commented on the writing angles of some Forum contributors, including founding Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee’s emphasis on the rule of law, former Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai’s support for the protests, and calls for sanctions against former Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The Witness Stand has consolidated the testimony from recent days to make its key points easier for readers to understand.
2 Apr 2024獨媒#3297
Hong Kong Alliance Incitement-to-Subversion Case: Chow Hang-tung Invites Public to Write Statements and Testify in Court — “Leave Behind a Narrative That Truly Belongs to Us”
已解散的支聯會前主席李卓人、前副主席何俊仁和鄒幸彤，2021年9月被控「煽動顛覆國家政權」罪，審期待定。鄒幸彤昨晚於社交媒體發文，指平反六四、爭取民主從不只是三名被告的故事，而是萬千港人和世界各地友好一起撰寫的歷史和未來。她強調政治檢控不等同一般刑事案件，最「有利」不是陪控方玩「由少數人改寫歷史的遊戲」，而是把書寫歷史的權力交還民眾，並誠邀過去30多年曾參與其中的人撰寫證詞甚至出庭作供，「一起說出我們的故事」，以「能留下這些紀錄，也就是留下真正屬於我們自己的敍事」。
Former Hong Kong Alliance chair Lee Cheuk-yan, former vice-chair Albert Ho and Chow Hang-tung were charged in September 2021 with “incitement to subversion of state power”; no trial date has been set. Chow wrote on social media last night that efforts to vindicate June 4 and pursue democracy had never been merely the story of the three defendants, but a history and future written together by countless Hong Kong people and friends around the world. She stressed that a political prosecution was not the same as an ordinary criminal case, and that the most “advantageous” course was not to play along with the prosecution in a “game of rewriting history by a minority”, but to return the power to write history to the public. She invited those who had participated over the past 30 years to write statements and even testify in court, “to tell our story together”, so that “being able to leave these records behind also means leaving behind a narrative that truly belongs to us.”
28 Mar 2024法庭線#3277
Day 54 of Jimmy Lai trial | Benedict Rogers says Hong Kong would be implicated if CCP were overthrown; Andy Li: Hongkongers willing to play “mutual destruction” role
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周四（28日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 54 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒第十一日作供。
控方展示李與英國保守黨人權委員會委員裴倫德於 2020 年 6 月、《國安法》生效前的通訊，裴倫德提及需想辦法利用香港「打倒中共」，而「香港將受到牽連」。李回覆指香港人樂於扮演這角色。他在庭上補充，「角色」意指「攬炒」，並確認自己樂意付上代價。
對話又顯示，他與裴倫德就解決香港問題爭論，李認為「首要目標是建立香港」，「打倒中共」屬次要，或只是一個手段去「解放香港」。案件押至 4 月 8 日續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies associated with Apple Daily have been charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The case entered its 54th day of trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as a High Court, on Thursday (28th), with fourth accomplice witness Andy Li giving evidence for an 11th day.
The prosecution presented communications between Li and Benedict Rogers, a member of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, from June 2020, before the National Security Law came into effect. Rogers mentioned the need to find a way to use Hong Kong to “overthrow the CCP”, adding that “Hong Kong would be implicated”. Li replied that Hongkongers were willing to play this role. He added in court that “role” meant “mutual destruction”, and confirmed that he was willing to pay the price.
The messages also showed that Li and Rogers had argued over how to resolve the Hong Kong issue. Li said the “primary goal is to build Hong Kong”, while “overthrowing the CCP” was secondary, or merely a means to “liberate Hong Kong”. The trial was adjourned until 8 April.
27 Mar 2024法庭線#3262
Jimmy Lai trial, Day 53 | Andy Li helped set up IPAC; Luke de Pulford contacted Lai for Hong Kong media support
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周三（27 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 53 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒第十日作供。
李宇軒供稱，2020 年 6 月曾協助英國保守黨人權委員會委員裴倫德，成立「對華政策跨國議會聯盟」，主要集合各地關注中國議題的國會議員。他指自己有份遊說日本議員參與 IPAC 及建立網站，又指曾問裴倫德需否香港媒體支援，對方稱已聯絡黎智英。
李又指聯盟成立後，曾與同案被告陳梓華商討，李或 SWHK 應否加入 IPAC，認為有助拓展國際遊說新方向，但有人擔心李以個人身分加入，會被質疑「搶光環」，最後決定由 SWHK 團隊加入 IPAC 中央秘書處。案件周四（28 日）續審。
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai and three companies associated with Apple Daily are charged with, among other offences, conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The case resumed on Wednesday (27th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting in place of the High Court, for its 53rd day of trial. Andy Li, the fourth accomplice witness, gave evidence for the 10th day.
Li testified that in June 2020, he helped Luke de Pulford, a member of the UK Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, establish the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which mainly brought together parliamentarians from different places concerned about China-related issues. He said he had helped lobby Japanese parliamentarians to join IPAC and set up its website. He also said he had asked de Pulford whether Hong Kong media support was needed, and that de Pulford said he had already contacted Jimmy Lai.
Li also said that after the alliance was established, he discussed with co-defendant Chan Tsz-wah whether he or SWHK should join IPAC. He believed this would help develop a new direction for international lobbying, but some people were concerned that if Li joined in his personal capacity, he might be accused of “stealing the limelight”. It was ultimately decided that the SWHK team would join IPAC’s central secretariat. The trial will continue on Thursday (28th).
25 Mar 2024法庭線#3248
Jimmy Lai case: Day 52 of trial｜Japan proposes human rights bill; Andy Li confirms lobbying Japanese lawmakers for support
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周一（25 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 52 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒第九日作供。
控方針對「日本線」提問，李指 2020 年初曾與日本眾議員菅野志櫻里會面，原打算商討由日本港人組織成員草擬的民主法案，但發現對方自行準備另一人權法案，他認為內容更好，遂同意該版本。李指，法案並非特別針對香港，但如發現香港有侵犯人權情況，又符合法案門檻，日方可按機制處理，以收阻嚇作用，並確認曾遊說其他日本議員支持。
另外，李確認同年 5 月「SWHK」曾辦第四次眾籌，支援香港民主活動。他與陳梓華、「攬炒巴」劉祖廸商討後，考慮到當時他身處香港、使用香港銀行戶口，有被指控「洗黑錢」及被銀行凍結款項的風險，加上傳聞訂立《國安法》，為安全起見，他本人沒參與該次計劃。案件周三（27 日）續審。
The trial of Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies related to Apple Daily, who are charged with conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements and other offences, entered its 52nd day at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, temporarily acting as the High Court, on Monday (25th). Andy Li, the fourth accomplice witness, gave evidence for the ninth day.
The prosecution questioned Li about the “Japan connection”. Li said he met Japanese Diet member Shiori Yamao in early 2020 and had originally intended to discuss a democracy bill drafted by members of Hong Kong people’s organisations in Japan. However, he found that she had prepared another human rights bill herself. He considered its content better and agreed to that version. Li said the bill did not specifically target Hong Kong, but if human rights violations were found in Hong Kong and they met the bill’s threshold, Japan could act under the mechanism to create a deterrent effect. He also confirmed that he had lobbied other Japanese lawmakers for support.
Li also confirmed that SWHK held its fourth crowdfunding campaign in May that year to support Hong Kong’s democracy activities. After discussing the matter with Chan Tsz-wah and Lau Cho-dik, known as “Gweilo”, he decided not to participate in the campaign for security reasons. At the time, he was in Hong Kong and using a Hong Kong bank account, creating a risk that he could be accused of money laundering and have his funds frozen. There were also rumours that the National Security Law would be enacted. The trial will continue on Wednesday (27th).
22 Mar 2024法庭線#3229
Jimmy Lai case, Day 51｜Li Yuxuan says he met Anson Chan, who asked how to reach the “End Game”
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周五（22 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 51 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒供稱，2019 年底至 2020 年初，曾與前政務司司長陳方安生三度會面。陳方安生詢問李與同行的陳梓華，作為這世代的社運人士，「如果我哋有 end game（終局）嘅話，嚟緊要點樣達到？」，兩人回答沒有具體行動及藍圖。
李另提及，他曾在港接待日本眾議員高井崇志，向其講述香港民主自由及示威情況，帶他們到中大二號橋衝突後現場視察。事後李亦曾向高井發送由他人草擬的民主法案，再親赴日本與兩名共產黨議員會面，當時亦帶同催淚彈彈頭。案件下周一（25 日）續審。
The trial of Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies associated with Apple Daily, charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, entered its 51st day on Friday (22nd) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court. Li Yuxuan, the fourth accomplice witness, testified that he met former Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan three times between late 2019 and early 2020. Chan asked Li and fellow activist Chan Tsz-wah: “If we have an end game, how should we achieve it?” The two replied that they had no specific actions or blueprint.
Li also said that he had hosted Takashi Takai, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, in Hong Kong and briefed him on democracy, freedom and the protests in Hong Kong. He took the delegation to inspect the site of the conflict at Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Bridge No. 2. Li later sent Takai a draft democracy bill prepared by others, and subsequently travelled to Japan to meet two Communist Party lawmakers, bringing tear-gas grenade heads with him. The trial will resume on Monday (25th).
21 Mar 2024法庭線#3224
Jimmy Lai trial, day 50 | Andy Li: “Team Reignite” produced proposed sanctions list targeting Carrie Lam
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周四（21 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 50 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒第七日作供。
李宇軒提到，他在三次眾籌登報後，轉型至國際遊說，並有份安排外國代表來港監察 2019 年區選。庭上顯示英國保守黨人權委員會委員裴倫德入境向李「報平安」後，刪除相關訊息。李解釋，香港政府不歡迎外國人前來監選，他擔心外國代表會被視為「不受歡迎人物」，因此著對方刪除記錄。
庭上另顯示，李向朱牧民轉發建議制裁名單，文件題為「香港侵犯人權和民主加害者簡介」，將制裁目標分 4 個等級，其中在「縱容和下達侵犯人權者」級別中，包括時任特首林鄭月娥。李指，名單由「重光團隊」製作，他們在 2019 年 12 月訪美後，將名單轉交朱牧民，由他決定如何交予美國眾議員及參議員。案件周五（21 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies related to Apple Daily are charged with “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” and other offences. The case entered its 50th day of trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, on Thursday (21st), with fourth accomplice witness Andy Li giving evidence for the seventh day.
Li said that after three crowdfunding campaigns for newspaper advertisements, he shifted to international lobbying and helped arrange for foreign representatives to come to Hong Kong to monitor the 2019 District Council elections. The court heard that Benedict Rogers, a member of the UK Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, deleted messages after entering Hong Kong and informing Li that he had arrived safely. Li explained that the Hong Kong Government did not welcome foreigners coming to monitor elections, and he was concerned that the foreign representatives would be regarded as “unwelcome persons”, so he asked Rogers to delete the records.
The court also heard that Li forwarded Chu Yiu-ming a proposed sanctions list titled “Profiles of Perpetrators of Human Rights and Democracy Violations in Hong Kong”. The document divided the targets into four levels. Carrie Lam, then Chief Executive, was included under the level for those who “condoned and ordered human rights violations”. Li said the list was produced by “Team Reignite”. After visiting the United States in December 2019, the team handed the list to Chu, who decided how to pass it to US members of Congress and senators. The trial will continue on Friday (21st).
20 Mar 2024法庭線#3213
Lai Chee-ying trial day 49 | Andy Li: “Chung Kwong team” consensus was to seek democracy; not all members supported sanctions
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周三（20 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 49 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒第六日作供，甫開庭主動補充，非全部「重光團隊」成員均支持制裁，亦不同意組織「為咗制裁而去成立」，制裁只是其中一種方法，但他在法官詢問下，同意部分廣告字眼包括要求制裁。
李另提到，同年 9 月與美國參議員 Rick Scott 會面時，Mark Simon 亦在場，當時知道他是陳梓華一方的人，及後透過報紙或其他渠道才得悉，Mark Simon 是黎智英的「right hand man（得力助手）」。案件周四（21 日）續審。
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and three companies linked to Apple Daily have been charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or external forces. The case entered its 49th day of trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court, on Wednesday (20th). Andy Li, the fourth accomplice witness, gave evidence for a sixth day. At the start of the hearing, he volunteered that not all members of the “Chung Kwong team” supported sanctions, and said he did not agree that the organisation was established “for the purpose of sanctions”; sanctions were only one method. However, when questioned by the judge, he agreed that some wording in advertisements included calls for sanctions.
Li also said that when he met US Senator Rick Scott in September of the same year, Mark Simon was present. At the time, he knew Simon was associated with Chan Tsz-wah’s side, and only later learned through newspapers or other channels that Mark Simon was Jimmy Lai’s “right hand man”. The trial will continue on Thursday (21st).
18 Mar 2024法庭線#3201
Day 47 of Jimmy Lai Trial | Li Yuxuan: “Team Light” formed to place newspaper ads; “Laam Caau-baa” played a major role
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周一（18 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 47 日審訊，第四位從犯證人李宇軒第四日作供。
李提到「重光團隊」的成立過程，指首次 G20 登報行動時，有些報館不接受匿名登廣告，部分則要求提交登報人名及組織，登報成員遂成立「重光團隊」。他指，團隊爭取香港自由民主，後期行動涵蓋其他支持香港的活動，創辦人包括李本人及「攬炒巴」劉祖廸。他形容劉角色重大、有號召力，同意他為「精神領袖」。
針對第三次眾籌「G20 X 攬炒團隊」登報行動，李指當時要找美國的「有錢人」，協助接收共 180 萬美元款項，當時透過陳梓華一方輾轉與 Mark Simon 取得聯絡。李指，最終由信託基金 The Project Hong Kong Trust 戶口管有款項。他解釋，是次眾籌未有如早前一樣，經他本人戶口收款，因不想款項留在香港銀行系統，以免被被凍結。案件周二（19 日）續審。
Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, and three companies related to Apple Daily have been charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences. The trial resumed on Monday (18th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting temporarily as the High Court, for its 47th day, with Li Yuxuan, the fourth accomplice witness, giving evidence for a fourth day.
Li described how “Team Light” was established. He said that during the first G20 newspaper-advertising campaign, some newspapers would not accept anonymous advertisements, while others required the names and organisations of the advertisers to be provided. The members placing the advertisements then established “Team Light”. He said the team sought freedom and democracy for Hong Kong, and that its activities later expanded to include other activities supporting Hong Kong. Its founders included Li himself and Liu Chor-dik, known as “Laam Caau-baa”. He described Liu’s role as significant and said Liu had the ability to mobilise people, agreeing that he was the team’s “spiritual leader”.
Regarding the third crowdfunding newspaper-advertising campaign, “G20 X Laam Caau Team”, Li said they had needed to find “wealthy people” in the United States to help receive a total of US$1.8 million. Through Chan Tsz-wah’s side, they eventually made contact with Mark Simon. Li said the funds were ultimately held in an account of The Project Hong Kong Trust. He explained that, unlike the earlier campaigns, the funds were not received through his own account because he did not want them to remain in Hong Kong’s banking system and risk being frozen. The trial will continue on Tuesday (19th).
15 Mar 2024法庭線#3183
Day 46 of Jimmy Lai trial | Li Yuxuan: Borrowed photo from Apple Daily for newspaper advertisement; only then learned Chan Tsz-wah knew Lai
壹傳媒創辦人黎智英與《蘋果日報》3 間相關公司，被控「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪，案件周五（15 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）展開第 46 日審訊。
針對 2019 年 6 月首次眾籌登報計劃，李宇軒供稱，負責墊支的公司非倡議組織，理應不會參與全球登報，因此對方希望盡快收回款項、了結事件，「唔會有啲唔關公司業務嘅嘢喺度拖住」。李又提到，眾籌 15 萬元的餘款，最後捐予「612 基金」。
至於同年 7 月第二次眾籌，李稱經陳梓華或其他人介紹，認識「攬炒巴」劉祖廸，指他想眾籌在英國發起「中英聯合聲明登報行動」。李指，那時候已得悉陳梓華與《蘋果》「有啲關係」，所以團隊曾透過陳向《蘋果》借用戴卓爾夫人相片，陳當時稱會在與黎吃飯時詢問，其後回覆「張相 OK 啦」。案件下周一（18 日）續審。
Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, and three companies linked to Apple Daily are charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign powers. The case entered its 46th day of trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting in place of the High Court, on Friday (15th).
Regarding the first crowdfunding newspaper-advertising campaign in June 2019, Li Yuxuan testified that the company responsible for fronting the payment was not an advocacy organisation and should not have participated in global newspaper advertisements. He said it therefore wanted to recover the money as soon as possible and bring the matter to a close: “There wouldn’t be things unrelated to the company’s business holding things up here.” Li also said that the remaining HK$150,000 from the crowdfunding was eventually donated to the “612 Fund”.
Regarding the second crowdfunding campaign in July that year, Li said he met Lau Cho-dik, known as “Lam Chau Ba”, after being introduced by Chan Tsz-wah or someone else. He said Lau wanted to crowdfund a “Sino-British Joint Declaration newspaper-advertising campaign” to be launched in the United Kingdom. Li said that by then he had learned that Chan had “some relationship” with Apple Daily, so the team asked Chan to borrow a photograph of Margaret Thatcher from Apple Daily. Chan said he would ask Lai during a meal, and later replied: “The photo is OK.” The trial will resume next Monday (18th).
Translations are supplied by the source workbook. Consult the original reporting for context.
