Exclusive | Jimmy Lai’s trial will spark new smear campaign against Hong Kong but people will also see how ‘bad’ his actions were, says security minister
- Secretary for Security Chris Tang tells Post that public will soon learn about media mogul’s alleged crimes when prosecutor presents case in open court
- Trial’s publicity will give rise to another wave of ‘smear campaigns’ against Hong Kong and Beijing authorities, he predicts
Lai, 75, is facing charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces for allegedly calling for international sanctions against Hong Kong and central authorities and inciting public hatred in the wake of the city’s anti-government protests in 2019.
Having spent nearly three years in custody, the media mogul will stand trial at the High Court on December 18. The court has estimated that it will take at least 80 days.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, Tang declined to discuss the case details given the ongoing judicial process, but he said the public would soon learn about them when the prosecutor presented their case in open court.
“When you look at all the details as disclosed, you will see how bad they are. Let’s wait and see [for] yourself,” he said.
As the widely anticipated trial is set to attract international media coverage, the security secretary expects the case’s publicity will give rise to another wave of “smear campaigns” against Hong Kong and Beijing authorities.
