6 ex-Apple Daily staff plead guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in seeking sanctions on Hong Kong, Beijing officials
- High Court records first convictions of news editors and media directors under Beijing-imposed legislation since it took effect in June 2020
- Newspaper founder Jimmy Lai will stand trial next month
The High Court on Tuesday recorded the first convictions of news editors and media directors under the Beijing-imposed legislation since it took effect in June 2020.
The six employees, each flanked by two prison officers in the dock, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces before three judges. The justices are set to try Lai next month.
Editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong, publisher Cheung Kim-hung, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man and editorial writers Fung Wai-kong and Yeung Ching-kee will receive lesser penalties for their guilty pleas to a charge which is punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Some might be granted further remission, as the court heard that several of the defendants, including Cheung and Chan, would help the prosecution in seeking Lai’s conviction.
Police officers were on high alert on Tuesday as the High Court session attracted over 100 attendees, including former Apple Daily workers. Officers with the force’s counterterrorism response unit were seen guarding the court’s vehicular entrance as the six defendants arrived under police escort.
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Former Apple Daily staff plead guilty to conspiracy under Hong Kong national security law
Prosecutors have alleged Lai, 74, conspired with the six employees to encourage foreign intervention against Hong Kong or mainland China from July 1, 2020, until Apple Daily’s closure on June 24 last year.
