Aide to Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai denies he turned prosecution witness after meeting with police
- Cheung Kim-hung, former publisher of now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, tells court he opted to testify against former boss to ‘tell the truth’
- Meeting with police officer took place while Cheung was on remand at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre and a day after his bail application was denied in writing
A top aide of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has denied having been persuaded to become a prosecution witness during a “lengthy” meeting with a police sergeant without the justice department’s approval.
Cheung Kim-hung, defendant and former publisher of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid, told judges on Thursday he decided to testify against his former boss to “tell the truth” after his bail was denied in November 2021. He said he only chatted about “life generally” with the police officer.
The former CEO of Next Digital reiterated that he acted on Lai’s decisions behind bars to run Apple Daily after the national security law took effect in 2020 and was in “no position” to take down video footage and commentaries by the tycoon.
The high-profile national security trial entered its 21st day with the defence continuing its cross-examination of Cheung, who turned witness for the prosecution almost half a year after he was arrested on June 17, 2021.
Cheung was charged the following day alongside Lai with conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the security law. He remained silent during all three interviews with police before the force laid charges on him, the court heard.
