Jimmy Lai says some violence is ‘inevitable’ in Hong Kong protests – as it happened

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Former Hong Kong media chief Jimmy Lai Chee-ying continued his Friday testimony in the highest profile national security processwith his lawyers questioning him about a series of allegedly seditious articles published by his Apple Daily tabloid.

Lai pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Act and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications in connection with Apple Daily.

Friday’s papers mainly discussed articles written and published by Lai during 2019-2020.

Lai told the court that he wrote about ways to gain support for the protest movement in the US and the international community. He said the work involved in explaining the movement was about “peace, non-violence and patience”, while sanctions or blockades were not part of his lobbying efforts.

He said his articles did not have a “feeling of hostility or intent to be seditious” but were instead a “true reflection of the facts” he perceived during the months-long protests.

The court had adjourned the morning hearing to allow Lai to go through his own articles. When it resumed, the former media chief denied that he intended to incite people to violence during the protests.

He explained that he called for unity between the peaceful protesters and a “brave” faction, which he said could have helped to “contain” the latter’s violence.

He also expressed regret for making remarks in “bad taste” in an article praising a young protester who wanted the police dead.

Defense lawyers are expected to question Lai for three weeks before prosecutors begin their cross-examination.

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