8 Jan 2024法庭線#2781
黎智英案第七日審訊｜控方讀畢承認事實 將傳15名證人出庭作供
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies linked to Apple Daily were charged with “conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements” and other offences. The case entered its seventh day of trial on Monday (the 8th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, sitting as the High Court. The prosecution read out admitted facts, including communications records found by police on the mobile phones of Yeung Ching-kee and Chan Pui-man. Email correspondence records involving a former US deputy secretary of defense, an editor of The Wall Street Journal and a then-senior adviser to the US State Department were also found on Lai’s phone.
The prosecution said it would later call 15 people to testify, including Cheung Kim-hung, Chan Pui-man and three other “accomplice witnesses”, as well as then Next Digital Group chief operating officer Cheung Tat-kwong and expert witness Gui Guo Wang, a professor at City University’s School of Law. The defence also applied for the prosecution to play the complete clips related to the case in court. The prosecution raised concerns that the 24 clips amounted to 35 hours in total. The judge adjourned the trial until Tuesday (the 9th), pending discussions between the prosecution and defence on how the clips would be played. Key witnesses are not expected to be called over the next two weeks.
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（8 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）踏入第七日審訊。控方讀出承認事實，包括警方在楊清奇、陳沛敏手機搜出的通訊紀錄，另於黎智英手機，發現美國前國防副部長、《華爾街日報》編輯及時任美國務院資深顧問等電郵聯絡紀錄。
控方提到，稍後將傳召 15 人出庭作供，包括張劍虹、陳沛敏等 5 名「從犯證人」、時任壹傳媒集團營運總裁周達權，以及專家證人城大法律學院教授王貴國。另外，辯方申請控方在庭上播放涉案完整片段，控方則關注 24 段片段共涉 35 小時，法官最終押後至周二（9 日）續審，候控辯雙方商討播放方式，預計未來兩周暫不傳召關鍵證人。
6 Jan 2024法庭線#2779
黎智英案開案陳詞整合 控方一連三日陳詞有何重點
Opening submissions in the national security case against Jimmy Lai were completed on Thursday (the 4th), with the trial resuming next Monday (the 8th). The prosecution is expected to read out the admitted facts. The Witness has consolidated the contents of the three days of opening submissions to make the key points of the trial easier to understand.
Regarding the charges of “conspiracy to publish seditious publications” and “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” involving Apple Daily, the prosecution said Lai used the media as a platform and conspired with Apple Daily executives to publish 161 seditious publications, including reports, advertisements and Lai’s columns. They called on people to take to the streets, promoted hatred against the regime, and sought foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong. The prosecution also said Lai instructed the launch of English-language news coverage, asking colleagues to focus on “yellow” views and “not target Trump” in order to gain the support of overseas readers.
The prosecution further described Lai as a “radical political figure” who invoked the pursuit of freedom and democracy as a pretext to contact political figures in various countries on multiple occasions. This included meeting Mike Pence, then the United States vice-president, and requesting sanctions against China and Hong Kong. It also said Lai opened a Twitter account and followed and tagged foreign politicians to increase his international influence.
As for the charge of “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” involving the “Rebuild Hong Kong team”, the prosecution said Lai was the mastermind behind it and advanced 5.1 million in newspaper advertising costs. Through Chan Tsz-wah’s instructions, he directed Andy Li, Lau Cho-dik and others to organise the “global newspaper advertisements” campaign, seeking foreign pressure on China. The team also organised “US”, “UK” and “Japan” channels, established international contacts, and lobbied foreign politicians to promote sanctions.
黎智英國安案本周四（4 日）完成開案陳詞，案件下周一（8 日）續審，預料控方讀出承認事實。《法庭線》整合一連三日開案陳詞內容，讓讀者更易理解審訊重點。
與《蘋果日報》有關的「串謀發布煽動刊物罪」、「串謀勾結外國勢力罪」，控方指黎智英以傳媒為平台，與《蘋果》高層串謀發布 161 篇煽動刊物，包括報道、廣告、黎專欄文章等，呼籲群眾上街、鼓吹仇恨政權、請求外國制裁中港。控方又指，黎指示推出英文版新聞，要求同事集中報道「黃」觀點、「不要針對特朗普」，以爭取海外讀者支持。
另一方面，控方指黎為「激進政治人物」，假借爭取自由民主之名，多次聯絡多國政要，包括與美國時任副總統彭斯等見面，要求制裁中港，又指他開設 Twitter 帳戶，追蹤及標籤外國政客，以增加自己的國際影響力。
至於與「重光團隊」有關的「串謀勾結外國勢力罪」，控方指黎為幕後主腦，墊支 510 萬元登報費，經陳梓華指示李宇軒、劉祖廸等人，組織「全球登報」行動，請求外國向中國施壓。團隊又組織「美國線」、「英國線」及「日本線」，建立國際聯繫，遊說外國政客推動制裁。
4 Jan 2024法庭線#2769
黎智英案第六日審訊｜控方：黎國安法生效仍請求制裁 還押後繼續指揮《蘋果》運作
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies linked to Apple Daily are charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The case entered its sixth day of trial on Thursday (4th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting temporarily as the High Court. The prosecution continued its opening submissions, saying that after Lai was arrested and remanded, he continued to direct Apple Daily’s operations and publish seditious material, showing his persistence with his plan.
The prosecution also cited clips of interviews with Lai and posts on Twitter, saying that after the National Security Law was implemented, he continued to make malicious and unfounded allegations against the law and continued to call for foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong. For example, he wrote that the Chinese Communist Party was “the biggest threat facing the free world” and praised “Lam Chau Ba” for his wisdom. Lai also gave an interview to Fox Business Network, saying he would remain in Hong Kong until the final day; otherwise, Apple Daily would lose its reputation and the unity of the democracy movement would be damaged. The trial will resume next Monday (8th), when the prosecution is expected to read out the agreed facts.
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（4 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）進行第六日審訊。控方繼續開案陳詞，指黎智英被捕及還押後，仍繼續指揮《蘋果》運作、發布煽動刊物，可見他堅持其計劃。
控方又引述黎智英受訪片段及 Twitter 帖文，指他在《國安法》實施後，仍對《國安法》作出惡意及毫無根據的指控，繼續要求外國制裁中港，例如撰文形容中共是「自由世界面對最大威脅」，讚揚「攬炒巴」有智慧。黎智英又接受《霍士財經網》訪問，指會留在香港直到最後一日，否則會令《蘋果》失去聲譽、破壞民主運動的團結。案件下周一（8 日）續審，料控方讀出承認事實。
4 Jan 2024法庭線#2771
黎智英案第六日審訊｜控方：黎是「重光團隊」主腦 支援全球登報、打國際線
Next Media founder Jimmy Lai and three companies associated with Apple Daily have been charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and other offences. The case entered its sixth day of trial on Thursday (the 4th) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, temporarily sitting as the High Court.
The prosecution continued its opening address, saying Lai was the mastermind behind the “Chung Kwong team” and provided financial support while instructing Li Yuet-sun, Chan Tsz-wah, Lau Cho-dik and others to organise a “global newspaper advertisements” campaign calling on foreign countries to exert pressure on China. The team also organised the “United States line”, “United Kingdom line” and “Japan line”, establishing international connections and lobbying foreign politicians to promote sanctions. Li Yuet-sun once showed 277 shell casings to US politicians, claiming they were related to “police violence”.
The prosecution also said that over the seven years from 2013, Lai transferred more than $118 million to his assistant Mark Simon, of which more than $93 million was transferred to pan-democratic figures and political parties. The prosecution has completed its opening address and disclosed that it would discuss with the defence the number of prosecution witnesses, reducing the number from 60 to fewer than 30. The case was adjourned until next Monday (the 8th), when the parties are expected to deal with agreed facts.
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（4 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）進行第六日審訊。
控方繼續開案陳詞，指黎智英為「重光團隊」幕後主腦，提供財政支援，指示李宇軒、陳梓華、劉祖廸等人，組織「全球登報」行動，請求外國向中國施壓。團隊又組織「美國線」、「英國線」及「日本線」，建立國際聯繫，遊說外國政客推動制裁。其中李宇軒曾向美國政客展示 277 枚彈殼，指稱與「警暴」有關。
控方又提到，黎由 2013 年起 7 年間，向助手 Mark Simon 共轉帳逾 1.18 億元，當中逾 9,300 萬元，轉予泛民主派人士及政黨。控方已完成開案陳詞，並透露將與辯方商討控方證人人數，將 60 名證人減至 30 人以下。案件押後至下周一（8 日），料處理承認事實。
3 Jan 2024光傳媒#2764
英美政要反駁與黎智英「串謀」 美國前駐港總領事郭明瀚：可笑至極
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai is charged under Hong Kong’s National Security Law with, among other offences, “conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or external elements”. The prosecution alleged yesterday (the 2nd) that Lai, together with several foreign political figures, repeatedly asked foreign governments to sanction China and Hong Kong. Several of those named rejected the allegations. Kurt Tong, the former US consul general in Hong Kong, said the suggestion that Lai’s conversations with him, a former diplomat, constituted a crime was utterly ridiculous. British financier and human rights activist Bill Browder said: “I have never met or spoken with him [Lai].”
《壹傳媒》創辦人黎智英被控香港《國安法》下「串謀勾結外國勢力」等罪名，控方昨日（2日）指控黎智英聯同多名外國政要，多次要求外國政府制裁中國及香港。多名被點名的人士提出反駁，美國前駐港總領事郭明瀚指，黎智英與身為前外交官的他交談是犯罪的說法，是可笑至極；英國金融及人權活動家Bill Browder稱：「我從來沒有見過他（黎）或與他交談」。
3 Jan 2024法庭線#2766
黎智英案第五日審訊｜控方指黎推《蘋果》英文版 指示同事集中報道「黃」觀點
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies related to Apple Daily have been charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The case continued for its fifth day of hearings on Wednesday (the 3rd) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting as the High Court.
The prosecution continued reading its opening statement, saying that Lai launched English-language news in response to the National Security Law to gain support from overseas readers, “develop an international media line”, and call for foreign sanctions against China and Hong Kong. Lai had also instructed subordinates to focus on “yellow” viewpoints, with the content “not needing to be balanced”. He further told colleagues on the international team “not to target Trump”, because Apple Daily needed Trump’s “support to survive”.
The prosecution also said that Lai opened a Twitter account in May 2020, now known as X, to increase his international influence, and followed political figures from several countries, including Tsai Ing-wen and Mike Pence. Judge Li Yunteng questioned the purpose of the prosecution listing the people Lai followed. The prosecution said this could demonstrate Lai’s connections with others and his state of mind. The judge asked what was meant by “state of mind”: “To show that Lai was interested in international affairs?” The prosecution reiterated that it could prove Lai was aware of the content on Twitter.
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（3 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）進行第五日審訊。
控方繼續讀出開案陳詞，指黎智英因應《國安法》推出英文版新聞，以增加海外讀者支持，「開拓媒體國際線」，請求外國制裁中港。而黎曾指示下屬集中報道「黃」觀點，內容「不用平衡」，又要求國際組同事「不要針對川普（特朗普）」，因《蘋果》要靠特朗普「支持保命」。
控方又指，黎智英於 2020 年 5 月開設 Twitter （現稱 X）帳戶，以增加自己的國際影響力，並追蹤多國政要，包括蔡英文、彭斯等。法官李運騰質疑，控方羅列黎所追蹤的人物有何用意。控方指可展示黎與他人的聯繫，以及其思想狀態。官追問何謂思想狀態，「顯示黎對國際事務有興趣？」控方重申，可證明黎知悉 Twitter 內容。
3 Jan 2024法庭線#2767
黎智英案第五日審訊｜控方：指示訪問彭定康 推動群眾上街 訂閱收入捐民陣基金
The trial of Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies associated with Apple Daily, who are charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, continued for its fifth day at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, which is acting as the High Court, on Wednesday (the 3rd). The prosecution continued reading its opening statement, saying that Lai had instructed that Chris Patten be interviewed to encourage crowds to take to the streets. It also said that, after meeting then Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Lai told deputy publisher Chan Pui-man to interview him. The prosecution said in its opening that Lai discussed an online subscription scheme for Apple Daily with former Next Digital chief executive officer Cheung Kim-hung, and agreed to donate one-third of the revenue to the fund of the now-disbanded Civil Human Rights Front to support anti-extradition bill protesters. The prosecution also said publications involved in the case included Apple Daily advertisements that accused police officers of being “black cops” and incited hatred against the Hong Kong government. The trial will continue on Thursday (the 4th).
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（3 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）進行第五日審訊。控方繼續讀出開案陳詞，提到黎智英為推動群眾上街，下達指示訪問彭定康，又與時任眾議院議長佩洛西會面後，著副社長陳沛敏訪問自己。
開案指﹐黎智英與前壹傳媒行政總裁張劍虹討論《蘋果》網上訂閱制，黎同意將三分一收入捐予現已解散的「民間人權陣線」基金，以支持反修例示威者。控方另稱，涉案刊物包括《蘋果》廣告，指控警察是「黑警」，煽動對港府仇恨。案件周四（4 日）續審。
2 Jan 2024法庭線#2761
黎智英案第四日審訊｜控方指黎積極聯繫外國政要 假借自由之名請求制裁
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies linked to Apple Daily have been charged with offences including “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces”. The fourth day of the trial took place on Tuesday (the 2nd) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, sitting temporarily as the High Court. In its opening statement, the prosecution said Lai invoked the pursuit of freedom and democracy as a pretext, and repeatedly contacted foreign politicians, including then-US Vice-President Mike Pence and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seeking US sanctions against mainland China and Hong Kong. It said Lai also used Apple Daily as a platform to promote sanctions with foreign political and business figures, including ending extradition agreements between various countries and Hong Kong.
The prosecution also said that before the National Security Law came into effect, Lai instructed Apple Daily to launch an English-language news edition to facilitate calls for foreign countries to impose sanctions on mainland China and Hong Kong. It said the United States has so far imposed sanctions on 42 officials from mainland China and Hong Kong.
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。案件周二（2 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）進行第四日審訊。控方於開案陳詞指，黎智英假借爭取自由民主之名，多次聯絡外國政要，包括美國時任副總統彭斯及時任國務卿蓬佩奧，要求美國制裁中港，又以《蘋果》作為平台，聯同外國政商界人士推動制裁，包括終止各國與香港的引渡協議等。
控方又指，黎在《國安法》實施前，指示《蘋果日報》推出英文版新聞，以便要求外國對中港實施制裁，提到美國至今共對 42 名中港官員實施制裁。
2 Jan 2024法庭線#2762
黎智英案第四日審訊｜控方：涉案161篇煽動刊物「荼毒易受影響人士思想」
Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai and three companies associated with Apple Daily are charged with offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The fourth day of the trial took place on Tuesday (2nd) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court, sitting as the High Court. The prosecution read its opening statement, alleging that Lai used the media as a platform to incite hatred against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the central authorities.
The prosecution said the case involved 161 seditious publications, including Apple Daily reports and articles from Lai’s column “A Laugh at Success and Failure”. Their content allegedly called on the public to participate in protests and the international community to sanction China and Hong Kong, thereby “poisoning the minds of impressionable people”. As an example, it cited a column in which Lai wrote: “Hey! You want to talk law with the Chinese Communist Party—did you come from Mars?”
The prosecution also said that former Apple Daily executives Cheung Kim-hung, Chan Pui-man and Yeung Ching-kei, who have pleaded guilty, published reports about, among other things, a meeting between Anson Chan Fang On-sang and then US Vice-President Mike Pence at Lai’s direction. It said they would testify as “accomplice witnesses” to prove that Lai was the “mastermind” of the case.
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。案件周二（2 日）在西九龍裁判法院（暫代高等法院）進行第四日審訊。控方讀出開案陳詞，提到黎智英以傳媒為平台，煽動對香港特區政府及中央的仇恨。
控方指，本案涉及 161 篇煽動刊物，包括《蘋果》報道、黎專欄「成敗樂一笑」文章，內容涉呼籲群眾參與示威、國際社會制裁中港，以「荼毒易受影響人士的思想」，舉例提到其中一篇專欄，黎稱「嘿！你要跟中共講法律，你從火星來的嗎？」
控方又指，已認罪的《蘋果》高層張劍虹、陳沛敏及楊清奇，受黎指示發布陳方安生與美國時任副總統彭斯會面等報道，提到他們將以「從犯證人」身分作供，證明黎為本案「主腦」。
30 Dec 2023renews#2757
光城者案 首次有國安被告撤控 被告曾還押15個月
The Department of Justice said in response that it would not comment on individual cases, stressing that all prosecution decisions were made according to the evidence and the law, in line with guidelines including the Prosecution Code. It also said that the National Security Law introduced a stringent bail threshold but “did not negate the legal principle of the presumption of innocence”. After considering the requirements of the National Security Law and local laws, “some” defendants charged with offences endangering national security had been granted bail.
律政司回應指，不評論個別案件，強調所有檢控決定，均按照《檢控守則》等指引按證據和法律作出，又稱國安法加入嚴格保釋門檻，但「並沒有否定無罪推定的法律原則」，法院在考慮國安法和本地法律要求後，「有部分」被控危害國安罪行的被告已獲准保釋。
Translations are supplied by the source workbook. Consult the original reporting for context.
