Paralegal says Lai's actions compelled him to breach NSL

Paralegal Chan Tsz-wah yesterday testified that he felt compelled to continue promoting international sanctions after witnessing Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying "practicing what he preached."

On the 66th day of Lai's national security trial, King's Counsel Marc Corlett, representing Lai, questioned Chan about his interactions with Lai and the impact of the national security law on their communication.

Corlett said that the last conversation between Chan and Lai occurred on Signal on July 13, 2020, and Chan confirmed that they had not spoken on the phone since the NSL came into effect on June 30, 2020.

Referring to a message Chan sent to activist Andy Li Yu-hin on July 23, 2020, Corlett questioned Chan about his stance on the NSL.

In the message, Chan wrote: "I'm not sure what the National Security Act means to you. But it doesn't mean we're not doing anything under the NSL."

Chan explained that his decision to intentionally breach the NSL depended on the presence of individuals like Li and Lai.

Corlett then asked about "laam chau," or mutual destruction, and whether he had made fun of those who supported it.

Chan denied mocking any individual who held such views.

However, Corlett presented a transcript of a video from October 11, 2020, in which Chan said, "I laugh at them all the time."

Chan admitted that his previous statement was false.

Corlett also touched on Chan's first meeting with Lai at a restaurant, suggesting that Chan was invited by Democratic Party founding chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming because Lee perceived him as not supporting "laam chau."

Chan clarified that Lee did not mention this during their initial meeting.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com