Jimmy Lai says some violence was ‘inevitable’ in Hong Kong protests – that’s what happened

Lai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the national security law and a third charge of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications related to Apple Daily.

Friday’s sessions mainly discussed the articles Lai wrote and published between 2019-2020.

Lai told the court he wrote about ways to rally support for the protest movement in the United States and the international community. He said his work explaining the movement was about “peace, nonviolence and patience” but that sanctions or blockades were not part of the lobbying effort.

He said his articles did not convey “animosity or intent to provoke” but were instead a “true reflection of the realities” he perceived during months of protests.

The court adjourned the hearing until the morning to allow Lai to review his own papers. When the action resumed, the former media mogul denied that he intended to incite people to violence during the protests.

He said he called for unity between peaceful protesters and a “valiant” group that he believed could help “limit” the latter’s violence.

He also expressed regret for using remarks in “bad taste” in an article in which he praised a young protester who called for the death of police.

Defense lawyers are expected to question Lai for three weeks before prosecutors begin cross-examination.

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