“When fundamental rights are engaged, any protection must be interpreted generously in favour of Mr Lai and narrowly for the prosecution,” Pang told the court.
Lai has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Lai was brought to the court building in a navy blue prison van in a police convoy. A security cordon was set up around the court building, with uniformed, riot and plainclothes police, armoured vehicles and sniffer dogs on site.
Some supporters of Lai, who faces possible life imprisonment, lined up overnight in the winter chill to secure a spot in the courtroom.
“Lai has been detained in prison for almost three years now. I want to witness this,” said Jolly Chung, a 29-year-old. “If he can’t come out and has to die in prison, I hope he can be proud of himself, and many Hong Kongers want to say thank you to him.”
Western democracies, including the United States, Britain and the European Union, are watching closely, with the trial looming as a fresh diplomatic flashpoint and a key test for Hong Kong’s judicial independence and freedoms under the sweeping national security law imposed by China in 2020.
Britain on Sunday toughened its stance towards the plight of Lai – a British citizen – by explicitly calling on authorities to release him.
Lai, who China’s foreign ministry recently called a “notorious anti-China element” has been behind bars now for over 1000 days. He faces several charges under the law, including collusion with foreign forces – a count that involves calling for sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials.
Source: CNA
