Former Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has denied knowing about a group formed by mostly Western lawmakers considering taking action against mainland China, despite his text exchanges with its creator and covering its launch in his Apple Daily tabloid newspaper.
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Deputy Director of Prosecutions Anthony Chau Tin-hang accused Lai in West Kowloon Court on Friday of lying three times about only learning of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) after his arrest.
“I do not need to lie if I know about IPAC,” Lai stressed. “It is not a crime [if] I heard about IPAC.”
Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping asked Lai whether he wished to say his earlier statements were “inaccurate”, but he maintained he “did not register IPAC” in his mind.
Prosecutors have alleged the organisation tried to trigger sanctions and blockades against Beijing.
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The 77-year-old Lai is contesting two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law, as well as a third of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications in breach of colonial-era legislation.