Jimmy Lai wanted Apple Daily to maintain position after 2020 arrest, court hears

Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying did not instruct the now-defunct Apple Daily to change its editorial position after he was arrested for alleged collusion with foreign forces and fraud in 2020, according to former associate publisher, Chan Pui-man.

Testifying as a prosecution accomplice witness in Lai's national security trial, Chan told the court that Lai is an assertive boss and would insist that his own approach is the correct way.

She acknowledged that Lai had told staffers of the tabloid after his release from police custody in August 2020 that “everything stays the same” and “Apple Daily will hang tight.”

She also confirmed that Lai once said he would “still choose to go down the same path even if he needs to go to jail.”

When asked by the prosecution whether she agreed with Lai’s political views at that time, Chan said she agreed with some of his basic values, such as democracy and freedom, yet she did not always side with Lai when it came to specific actions and strategies.

Meanwhile, Chan said she disagreed with Lai’s idea of promoting the “One Hongkonger One Letter to Save Hong Kong” campaign in the name of Apple Daily.

Chan previously testified that despite her opposition, Lai was determined to press ahead with the campaign in May 2020, when the national security law was about to be enacted, to draw the attention of then-US president Donald Trump.

She told the court today that she proceeded with the instructions she received from Lai to vacate the front page for publishing the letters, which she treated as an advertisement.