The Hong Kong High Court has rejected a request by pro-democracy activist and newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai to terminate his upcoming trial under the city’s so-called National Security Law (NSL), according to Reuters. Lai, a well-known figure in Hong Kong’s media industry, has been fighting tirelessly for his freedom amid the challenging political climate.
The trial, which centers on charges related to national security, has garnered significant attention both locally and internationally. Lai has been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, drawing the admiration of many individuals around the world.
Lai’s plea was unanimously rejected by Judges Esther Toh, Susana D’Almada Remedios, and Alex Lee, saying there was no reason to believe they “would be biased, actually or apparently, against” Lai, Reuters reported.
The decision is the latest blow to Lai’s legal defense as the same court had recently rejected Lai’s request to add King’s Counsel Tim Owen, a veteran U.K. lawyer specializing in the rights of political prisoners, to his defense team.
The Hong Konger, the Acton Institute’s new award-winning documentary, tells the story of Jimmy Lai’s heroic struggle against authoritarian Beijing and its erosion of human rights in Hong Kong. Banned by TikTok, the film premiered worldwide at freejimmylai.com on April 18, 2023, and is available in full on YouTube here.