Hong Kong publisher Lai faces Security Law in delayed trial

By KANIS LEUNG
Associated Press

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai broke into the media industry about 30 years ago armed with the belief that delivering information equates with delivering freedom. Lai now is accused of endangering national security with his now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Lai, 74, faces up to a life sentence if he is convicted under a sweeping National Security Law that Beijing imposed on the former British colony in 2020. His high-profile trial was slated to begin Thursday, but is being postponed. Lai’s decision to hire a British defense lawyer is the basis of the appeal for delaying the trial. Hong Kong leader John Lee has asked Beijing to issue a ruling that could effectively block the veteran barrister from representing Lai.