HKSAR Government strongly condemns external forces for slandering and smearing court's sentencing in Lai Chee-ying case
Regarding the court's sentencing yesterday (February 9) for Lai Chee-ying and the other eight defendants, as well as three companies relating to Apple Daily in respect of their convictions of a total of three charges of offences endangering national security, the western countries, anti-China media, organisations and politicians have used this as a pretext to slander, smear, and attack the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). They have even maliciously disparaged the court's independent judgement and sentence handed down in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government firmly opposed and strongly condemned such despicable conduct.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "'Lai Chee-ying case' was the first convicted case of the offence of 'collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security' since the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). This marks an important milestone in the HKSAR's efforts to safeguard national security, manifesting the role of the HKNSL as a key stabilising force. This case also admonishes that villains who endanger national security could never escape the sanctions of the law and would surely be severely punished in accordance with the law. Under the robust protection of the HKNSL, the attempts by external forces to 'use Hong Kong to contain China' are doomed to fail, leaving them with no option but only to smear and vilify the HKSAR's efforts to safeguard national security with futile and despicable political manoeuvres which would be in vain. By distorting facts and reversing right and wrong, their malicious intent has been seen through by all and must be resolutely refuted to set the record straight."
The HKSAR spokesperson stressed, "In Lai Chee-ying's case, after 156 days of fair and impartial public hearings, the court has considered the irrefutable evidence of up to 2 220 exhibits, over 80 000 pages of documents and statements of evidence from 14 prosecution witnesses. The court pointed out clearly that Lai Chee-ying was the mastermind of the case. He had manipulated and exploited Apple Daily to poison the society, and repeatedly colluded with external forces to beg for sanctions and hostile activities against the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government. Even after the enactment of the HKNSL, all the defendants continued with their agreement for some time until after they were arrested by the Police. The court clearly pointed out that Lai Chee-ying's only intent was to seek the downfall of the Communist Party of China even though the ultimate cost was the sacrifice of the interests of the people of China and the HKSAR. Lai Chee-ying has brought harm to our country and Hong Kong; his evil deeds were beyond measure, and he for sure deserves his punishment after all the harm he has done."
The spokesperson reiterated, "The court clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's publicly released reasons for verdict and sentence have meticulously explain the court's analysis of the relevant legal principles and evidence, as well as the reasons of the conviction and sentencing of Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies, which are well-founded and reasoned, with absolutely no basis for claims of so-called 'political prosecution'."
In response to views suggesting that the severe sentencing of the defendants in the Lai Chee-ying case would affect the HKSAR's freedom of the press, a spokesperson for the HKSAR Government emphasised, "The Lai Chee-ying case has nothing to do with freedom of the press at all. Over the years, the defendants were using journalism as a guise to commit acts that brought harm to our country and Hong Kong."
"Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. The HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law."
In response to views that the prosecution and trial of the Lai Chee-ying case took too long, causing unfairness to the defendants, the spokesperson pointed out, "All cases concerning offence endangering national security are handled by the prosecution and judicial authorities of the HKSAR in a fair and timely manner in strict compliance with Article 42(1) of the HKNSL, with the procedural rights of defendants exercised in accordance with the law fully respected throughout the process. Regarding Lai Chee-ying's case, the three counts of conspiracies were meticulously planned, the case was complex and involved a huge volume of evidence. Prosecution witnesses gave an elaborated account of the three counts of conspiracies in court. Lai Chee-ying himself even testified in court for 52 days. The time taken from investigation to trial was entirely reasonable, and there was absolutely no question of any so-called unfairness."
"Besides, the HKSAR Government noticed that certain individuals with ulterior motives have been fabricating lies about Lai Chee-ying's health conditions and his custodial arrangements. Facts speak louder than eloquence. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) has been ensuring that the custodial environment for persons-in-custody (PICs) is safe, humane, appropriate and healthy in accordance with the law. These include adequate lighting and good ventilation, as well as appropriate and timely medical support. The HKSAR Government has also pointed out time and again that the arrangement of removing Lai Chee-ying from association with other PICs, it has long been made based on his own request by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law. Lai Chee-ying's entitlements in prison, including visitation, communication, welfare and religious services, as well as outdoor exercise arrangements, have not been deprived of on account of his personal status or his removal from association with other PICs."
"During the plea in mitigation in court on January 12 and 13 this year, the senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying confirmed repeatedly that Lai Chee-ying had made no complaints about the treatment he received while in custody. The court also confirmed in its reasons for sentence that the CSD has been providing adequate medical attention for Lai Chee-ying."
The spokesman reiterated, "The HKSAR Government will continue to uphold its constitutional duty and steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. It will, as always, resolutely and strictly adhere to the principle of the rule of law to ensure that 'laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account', so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security while protecting the lawful rights and interests of Hong Kong residents and other people in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government urges all sides to recognise the objective facts and stop any baseless malicious attacks."
Source: AI-found images
