He's essentially guilty of journalism.
>> Censorship is very prevalent.
>> This is a man who stood for the right
thing.
>> We presume he probably will be
convicted.
>> Killing him will have no benefit to Hong
Kong and China. I hope that I'll one day
see my father again.
>> He is Hong Kong's most high-profile
prisoner and the heightened security
that has surrounded his case was
deployed once again on its final day as
Jimmy Lie was driven into West Cowoon
Court. His wife, Theresa, has remained
free to attend the trial, which lasted
twice as long as expected.
Jimmy's son, Sebastian, lives in exile
from Hong Kong.
>> He's essentially guilty of journalism.
Um, and, you know, the courage to stand
up for his principles and and and and
and his journalists. All these
allegations of him being behind the
protest. Well, turns out the only time
he met with his students was to tell him
to be peaceful. He never advocated Hong
Kong independent.
Jimmy Lie was arrested 5 years ago,
weeks after Beijing imposed the National
Security Law in 2020. The media tycoon
and prominent pro-democracy supporter
had long been an opponent of the Chinese
Communist Party.
During his trial, opinion pieces he
wrote for his newspaper, The Apple
Daily, and his contact with US
politicians were used to support charges
that he colluded with foreign forces and
publish sedicious material.
After his arrest, his newspaper offices
were raided and closed, a day which
human rights organizations describe as
the end of free speech in Hong Kong. Now
um even you know a lone protester you
know risks arrest if they dare to speak
up. You had many media outlets uh
independent media outlets in Hong Kong.
Most of those have been shuttered
including Apple Daily which was founded
by Jimmy Lie. Um censorship uh is very
prevalent and you know there's so much
fear amongst Hong Kong people that self
censorship unfortunately has become the
norm. The UK government has called on
the Hong Kong authorities to release
Jimmy Lie who is a British citizen.
There is growing concern for his health.
The 77year-old has spent the last 5
years in solitary confinement. He has
diabetes and has developed heart
problems.
China has accused foreign governments of
judicial interference and glorifying
criminal behavior. The authorities claim
Mr. lie requested to be kept apart from
other prisoners, something his son
rejects.
>> From understanding, he didn't ask for
it. Um, it would it wouldn't be logical
to to to do so.
>> Trials under the national security law
are being held without a jury by a panel
of government approved judges, leading
to questions about the fairness of the
legal process. There has been almost a
100% conviction rate so far. We don't
know when he'll be convicted, but we
presume he probably will be convicted.
And I think at that point, it's really
important that the UK government presses
for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Also, because he's a 77y old man in ill
health, um, you know, any lengthy prison
term is going to be very detrimental to
his health.
>> A conviction would likely mean Jimmy Lie
will die in prison. This is a man who
stood for the right thing and and and
did so peacefully and and killing him
will have first of all no benefit to
Hong Kong and China but also you know as
the foreign secretary said will have
consequences.
>> One hope for his release could come from
Donald Trump who has promised to raise
the matter with the Chinese president Xi
Jinping. We heard in court that Jimmy
Lie was a Republican supporter evidence
which was used against him. you got to
keep trying and that's how you keep the
hope alive. Um I think it's it's you
can't just, you know, sit around and and
and and hope that some miracle frees
him. Um so that's what that's what I do.
I I keep I keep doing this so that I I I
have hope that I will one day see my
father again.
>> The verdict and a decision whether Jimmy
Lie will ever be a free man again are
expected in two months time. Debbie
Edward, ITV News.