Lai has pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications in relation to Apple Daily, his now-closed tabloid newspaper.
On the first day of his defence on Wednesday, the former media boss denied leveraging his connections to sway foreign policy on Hong Kong or mainland China, or exploiting his friendships with overseas officials to advance a political agenda.
He was asked to detail his relationship with politicians and figures from the United States, the United Kingdom and Taiwan.
Lai also touched on his stance on Hong Kong and Taiwan independence, describing the advocacy of such ideas as “a conspiracy” and “a trap”.
The court looked into a series of his interactions with his former staff at Apple Daily, with Lai having to explain the intention and rationale behind his actions, including his desire to secure support by then-president Trump’s administration in the US to stop the Beijing-imposed national security law, implemented on June 30, 2020.
Defence lawyers said they anticipated it would take three weeks to question him before cross-examination by prosecutors.
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