HK High Court delays Jimmy Lai trial to Dec 13

Hong Kong’s High Court on Thursday postponed the trial of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s national security case until Dec 13.

Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, is charged with collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security and three other offenses. His trial was previously scheduled to begin on Dec 1.

Earlier, the Court of Final Appeal ruled in favor of allowing Lai to hire British King’s Counsel Timothy Owen to defend him in the trial. The Department of Justice later applied to adjourn the case for seven days, to wait for the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) to make an interpretation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, clarifying whether overseas lawyers who are not qualified to “practice generally” in Hong Kong should be allowed to engage in national security cases in the city.

A panel of three High Court judges said on Thursday that the court had agreed to postpone the case, and hopes to spare sufficient time to wait for the NPCSC interpretation. The court also requested the Department of Justice submit an estimated timetable for the interpretation by noon on Dec 12.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Chau Tin-hang, who represents the prosecution in the case, said the government’s request for a legal interpretation received support from various central government departments overseeing Hong Kong affairs. He believes the NPCSC will accept this proposal.

Local Senior Counsel Robert Pang Yiu-hung represented Owen to hear the case on Thursday.