Lai tells court he was ignorant about how his actions would violate law

Eunice Lam

Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying confirmed he had told his assistant Mark Simon to continue accepting media interviews after the National Security Law was enacted in July 2020, the court heard yesterday.

During the 105th day of the trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, the 77-year-old Lai said that despite the NSL having been enacted, he had not realized that his actions might violate the law.

Lai confirmed that on July 1, 2020, he had read a Facebook post written by the University of Hong Kong's principal law lecturer Eric Cheung Tat-ming to summarize the key points of NSL.

On the same day, Simon sent Lai an English-written statement from the Hong Kong Bar Association regarding the NSL, and raised concerns on whether Lai should continue accepting interviews.

But Lai, in response, said he felt he should continue to accept media interviews, saying: "I definitely know I must be more careful in my words [to avoid violating the NSL]," but that he didn't think his acts would violate the legislation.

The defense also showed a news clipping on July 2, 2020, that Lai sent to former Apple Daily columnist Simon Lee Siu-fu, who was said to be responsible for managing Lai's X account (formerly Twitter).

It was the headline news of Apple Daily that day, in which Lai requested Lee to emphasize "the effect of National Security police arresting 10 people who show flags and slogans to institute 'independence'."

Lai also confirmed he had hosted a Next Magazine online program together with commentator Simon Lau Sai-leung aired on July 6, 2020, during which the pair had discussed the NSL. But Lai said he couldn't recall if the video was shot before or after the enactment of NSL.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com