Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai denies lying to court about not knowing of int’l group critical of China
Hong Kong Free Press
Jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai has denied lying during his national security trial’s testimony about not knowing about an international group critical of mainland China, despite having promoted the launch of the organisation in his now-shuttered Apple Daily tabloid five years ago.
Lai, 77, on Friday also denied giving inaccurate testimony to the court as he maintained that he was not aware of the existence of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) before facing the trial, which began in December 2023.
The Apple Daily founder has pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under a Beijing-imposed national security law and a third of conspiring to publish “seditious” materials under colonial-era legislation. He could be jailed for life if convicted.
IPAC, founded in June 2020, is a group of more than 200 lawmakers from 40 jurisdictions who call on countries to address “threats to the rules-based and human rights systems posed by the rise of China,” according to the group’s website.
Prosecutors in Hong Kong allege the group has lobbied for foreign sanctions to be imposed against Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials after the promulgation of the national security law in the city on June 30, 2020.
‘Did not take notice’
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Anthony Chau sought to undermine Lai’s credibility on Friday as he examined the tycoon’s connection with UK human rights campaigner Luke de Pulford, the co-founder and executive director of IPAC, when the organisation was about to be launched.
Records of WhatsApp messages showed that de Pulford sent Lai materials that introduced IPAC, including a press release which described the organisation as pushing for governments “to adopt a tougher stance on China,” in early June 2020.
“I don’t know about front page but will try to put it in [a] prominent place if front page is not available. Thanks, Jimmy,” Lai replied in a message sent to de Pulford. The records also showed that Lai passed de Pulford the contact of then associate publisher of Apple Daily Chan Pui-man.
In court, the tycoon said he “normally” did not read what de Pulford sent him and he had the impression that the Briton “just used me to publish his things.” He agreed that he promoted the launch of IPAC on Apple Daily without knowing the nature of the organisation.
He maintained that he did not “register” IPAC in his mind despite having talked about the organisation with de Pulford, adding that he never heard of the acronym of the alliance before the trial.
But Chau highlighted messaging records that showed de Pulford mentioning the acronym, such as “IPAC briefing 31 May,” sent on June 1, 2020. The tycoon maintained he “did not take notice.”
The prosecutor also drew the court’s attention to an Apple Daily article dated June 5, 2020, which reported the launch of IPAC. Lai said he had only “glanced through” the report and did not read its content.
In another WhatsApp exchange dated June 13, de Pulford thanked the tycoon for “tweeting about IPAC,” to which Lai responded: “You’re welcome.”
The evidence prompted presiding High Court Judge Esther Toh to ask Lai whether he would acknowledge his previous testimony that he was “not aware” of the existence of IPAC was “inaccurate.”
But the tycoon maintained that it was his “impression” that he did not take notice of IPAC and refused to do so.
He also denied lying in the witness box, saying: “What’s the big deal? Why should I lie? It’s not a crime to know about IPAC.”
‘Not impossible’
The court also heard that, in an exchange dated July 7, 2020, de Pulford sent Lai a Twitter post containing a video of a UK parliamentary session in which lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith – also a co-chair of IPAC – inquired whether the British government would sanction then Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.
“Organised for this to happen today. Actually not impossible now. Hope you’re OK. Jimmy,” de Pulford wrote in a message.
“Yes, I’m ok for now,” Lai responded. “Yes, not impossible now. Cheers, Jimmy.”
Chau suggested Lai was aware that de Pulford was calling for sanctions against city officials after the enactment of the national security law, but the tycoon denied he ever watched the video and maintained that he had no knowledge of de Pulford’s involvement in lobbying for the punitive measure.
The trial resumes on Monday.
Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
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