Hong Kong Court Upholds Charges Against Pro-Democracy Figure Jimmy Lai

A Hong Kong court dismissed a bid to terminate the national security trial of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. The court ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence against Lai, who faces charges related to conspiracy and sedition. The trial, lasting over 92 days, could see Lai sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted.

A Hong Kong court on Thursday dismissed an attempt by the legal team defending jailed democrat Jimmy Lai to terminate his national security trial. The court ruled that prosecutors have provided sufficient prima facie evidence for all three charges against him, enabling the trial to continue.

Judge Esther Toh stated, 'Having considered all the submissions, we ruled that the first defendant (Lai) has a case to answer on all the charges.' If convicted, Lai, aged 76 and the founder of the shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, could face a life sentence.

The trial, which has spanned 92 days since commencing on December 18 and was initially anticipated to last 80 days, saw defence lawyers, led by Robert Pang, calling for termination on grounds of insufficient evidence. However, their bid was overruled by the court, and the trial continues amidst concerns from Western governments regarding Beijing's crackdown on dissent.

(With inputs from agencies.)