Originally published at National Catholic Register
Lai, a Catholic, has for years been a vocal pro-democracy voice in Hong Kong media.
Catholic human-rights activist Jimmy Lai on Wednesday took the stand in his national security trial in Hong Kong, arguing in his own defense as he faces life in prison over allegations of sedition against the communist Chinese government.
Lai, 76, was first arrested in August 2020 under China’s newly instituted Hong Kong national security law. He has faced multiple trials since his arrest and has been convicted on multiple charges of unlawful assembly and fraud.
Advocates have argued that the charges are politically motivated. Lai, through several media enterprises, including the long-running Apple Daily newspaper, has for years been a vocal pro-democracy voice in Hong Kong media, with Apple Daily itself encouraging citizens to participate in numerous pro-democracy demonstrations over the years.
Chinese Communist Party officials, meanwhile, allege that Lai has engaged in what they claim is seditious activism, in part by allegedly advocating for Hong Kong’s independence from mainland China.
At his trial on Wednesday, Lai denied allegations of sedition. “All I was doing was carrying a torch to the reality,” he told the court of his publishing activities.
“The more information you
