Real-time updates｜On the 55th day of the trial of Jimmy Lai’s case, Li Yuxuan confirmed to attend the Transnational Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting on China policy
Next Media founder Jimmy Lai and three companies related to “Apple Daily” were charged with “conspiracy to collude with foreign forces” and other crimes. The case started on the 55th day of the trial at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts (Provisional High Court) on Monday (8th) , the fourth accomplice witness Li Yuxuan testified on the twelfth day. Li Tingshang confirmed that he had attended a meeting of the “Transnational Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy” in July 2020.
The case was adjourned last week. On the 28th of last month, the prosecution showed communications between Lee and Pei Lund, a member of the British Conservative Party Human Rights Commission in June 2020, before the National Security Law came into effect. Pei Lund mentioned the need to find ways to use Hong Kong to “defeat the CCP” , and “Hong Kong will be implicated.” Li replied that Hong Kong people are happy to play this role. He added in court that “role” meant “soliciting speculation” and confirmed that he was willing to pay the price. The conversation also showed that he and Pei Lunde argued about solving the Hong Kong issue. Li believed that “the primary goal is to establish Hong Kong” and “overthrowing the CCP” is secondary, or it may be just a means to “liberate Hong Kong.”
The case was heard by Du Libing, Li Sulan and Li Yunteng, judges designated by the National Security Law of the High Court. The prosecution was represented by Deputy Crown Prosecution Commissioner Chow Tin Hang, Assistant Crown Prosecution Commissioner Cheung Cheuk-kin, and Senior Prosecutor Chan Ying-chen; Jimmy Lai was represented by Senior Counsel Pang Yao-hong, Barrister Kwan Man-wai, and New Zealand Queen’s Counsel Marc Corlett, who is qualified to practice in Hong Kong.
16:16 adjournment
15:52 Information shows that Li Yuxuan and Chen Zi discussed whether to “come to the surface”
The prosecution showed the Signal message between Li and Chen Zihua on July 23, 2020. Chen Zihua said, “Brother Mark, how much is the number of coins?”, “Have you made arrangements to expose Hong Kong D Ye Wei?”, “If you go to fight, the last thing will matter to you. Everyone around me will take care of them.” Li replied, “I have taken care of the family members I want to take care of.”
The prosecution asked, “Brother Mark, how much silver is the number?” What does it mean? Li said that “Brother Mark” is Mark Simon. The third crowdfunding project of “G20 ”, so he discussed the payment with Chen.
The prosecution asked, what did the two people mean by “Have you arranged to expose Hong Kong D Nomi?” Li explained, “If you want to be beaten, you have to make arrangements to expose things in Hong Kong. He (Chen Zihua) said that if he is going to be beaten, everyone around him will take care of himself, including him. If he is going to be beaten, he should have some concerns. Those around him should be worried. When it comes to lung care, at least decide on the family members who need it. I told T (Chen Zihua) that my family members don’t have to worry. If they need lung care, they will do it. I told T that it doesn’t mainly depend on whether I can have it. The problem.”
The prosecution asked, “What to fight for?” Li said “come to the surface and be the person on the stage.” Judge Li Yunteng heard this and asked, what does it mean? “Contrast is important because many activists are from behind the scenes, that is, anonymous.”
15:34 Meeting minutes show that Luo Guancong and Huang Taiyang attended
The prosecution showed the emails between Sugano and Bill Browder, which showed that the two met through Zoom for a meeting on August 12, 2020. Lee sent an email to the two people saying that he was not sure whether Zoom was a safe option for meetings and suggested using Jitsi. The prosecution asked whether the participants in the meeting included Lee, Sugano and Bill Browder? Li said, “I’m sorry, I was already detained on August 12,” but he was among the attendees of the original meeting.
The prosecution then showed the minutes of the IPAC meeting on August 3, 2020. In addition to IPAC members from various countries, participants included Li, Luo Guancong and Huang Taiyang. Li Tingshang explained, “First, Ray Wong (Huang Taiyang) and Nathan Law (Luo Guancong) talked about the situation in Hong Kong after the NSL (National Security Law) was enacted, and then the co-chair (co-chairman) asked them questions and talked about it. sub bullet point something”.
15:26 Li confirmed that he had a video conference with Pei Lund and Browder
The prosecution showed a Signal group called “Magnitsky Japan” created by Pei Lunde on August 4, 2020. Its members include Pei Lunde, Li Yuxuan, and a phone number starting with “+44”. The prosecution asked, is the phone number starting with “+44” the phone number of Bill Browder? Li said that the number was added by Pei Lunde, “I assume it is Bill.” Judge Li Yunteng asked, in other words, Li did not know that the phone number was Bill Browder? Lee agrees.
控方展示李在「Magnitsky Japan」群組發送的訊息，「Bill/Luke: Thank you for the call. We will set up an in-person meeting with Rep Yamao to update her on the support that you could offer her. I expect that we would have to work out a strategy with her and other legislators regarding the strategy, tone, and timing to push the Act.
continue reading
A bit of update on the Japanese parliament. the normal full session runs from January, and there is usually a short session from September, but currently under COVID, we honestly don’t know when it would reopen.」
(Chinese translation: Bill/Luke: Thank you for your call. We will arrange an interview with Sugano to explain that you can provide her with support for this new development. I expect that we will have to discuss the strategy and timing of promoting this bill with her and other legislators.
There is also some new information about the Japanese Parliament. Normal sessions will start in January, and there is usually a short session in September. But under the current COVID-19 epidemic, we really don’t know when it will reopen. )
The prosecution asked, did the bill mentioned in the message refer to the Magnitsky Act? Li said that it should be referring to the bill of human rights proposed by Kanno personally. “I went to Japan to meet Yamao Shiori (Sugano) once, and he came out with his own bill of human rights, so Yamao itself worked on something similar to this.” bill (bill), it may directly introduce Yamao Shiori’s Bill of Rights, or it may change it.”
The prosecution pointed out that Li said “thank you for calling”, which meant that Li, Browder and Bill Browder had already spoken? Li agreed, “With the video, I can actually see what he looks like.”
15:02 Li confirms that he will help Sugano meet with financier Browder as a volunteer
Lee sent a message to Browder, “We help Bill set up a Japan presence, and then our Japan arm work with him to help Shiori together. Let’s help Sugano together.”
The prosecution asked, from the information, whether Perund had a meeting with Bill Browder? Li said that the meeting had two purposes. On the one hand, Pei Lunde introduced Bill Browder to Sugano, and on the other hand, if Bill Browder and Sugano could cooperate, how could Bill Browder assist each other.
Pei Lunde mentioned the agenda of the meeting to Li Faxin, including the introduction of the Liberal Democratic Party, the work of the SWHK commentary organization in Japan, the assessment of the progress of the Magnitsky sanctions, questions from Bill Browder, and the work arrangements between SWHK and Bill Browder to promote Progress in Japan.
Li Tingshang explained that Bill Browder cooperated with Sugano, but it would be more convenient for Sugano to use Japanese, and Hong Kong people in Japan would know Japanese politics better. “If there are volunteers in the middle to help, help Bill Browder and Yamao ( Sugano) will be better.” Lee added that he was not assisting Kanno as SWHK, but as a volunteer for Kanno.
14:33 The prosecution continues to ask questions about the SWHK IPAC group
The prosecution continued to ask questions about SWHK IPAC’s TG group. Li Yuxuan took the initiative to add that when he checked the information in court, he saw information related to JPAC, mentioning the purpose of JPAC’s creation, which is to ask China not to do anything about universal values and Basic human rights, do any harm.
控方展示 2020 年 8 月 3 日裴倫德在 SWHK IPAC 的 TG 群組訊息，「Guys I just was emailing Bill Browder. He’s v excited about Shiori. I told him that SWHK had been crucial in helping Shiori develop her platform on HK. I also said that would likely be the case in the future. He wants to help her on the Magnitsky stuff. I offered to set up a call between SWHK JPN team (and others if you want).」
(Everyone, I just sent an email to Bill Browder and he is excited about Sugano’s plans. I told him that SWHK has been instrumental in helping Sugano develop her Hong Kong platform. I also said that this will likely be the case in the future. Bill Browder wanted to help her with the Magnitsky matter. I put Bill Browder on the call with the SWHK JPN team (and others if you wanted).
Judge Li Yunteng asked, which country are Magnitsky-style sanctions targeted at? Li Yuxuan said that it refers to the implementation of Magnitsky-style sanctions in different jurisdictions (jurisdictions). When human rights violations occur, the perpetrators can be punished. Judge Du Libing asked why Pei Lunde said “SWHK played an important role in helping Sugano develop her Hong Kong platform”? Li said that at that time there were Hong Kong social activists who wanted to push sanctions, and British financier Bill Browder also wanted to push sanctions everywhere. The two had the same purpose.
Judge Du Libing asked, does the target of sanctions include China and Hong Kong? Li said, “It should be said that HongKonger wants to apply (the sanctions) to China’s human rights violations. As for Bill Browder wanting to apply them (the sanctions) to the side, I don’t know.”
How, the prosecution asked, did Bill Browder help Sugano with the Magnitsky sanctions? Li quoted Perund’s message as saying, “he also has a huge amount of money (he also has a large amount of money)”, “that is, if Biandu needs funds, he has them.” On the other hand, because Bill Browder has implemented Magnitsky sanctions and has contact information for relevant politicians, “Bill Browder can help Yamao Shiori reach out (contact) these politicians.”
12:45 Lunch break
12:24 Li Yuxuan denies being a member of the alliance of parliamentarians related to Japan’s China policy
As for Li Yuxuan’s mention of “Japanese team’s spokesperson” in his TG message, Li Tingshang testified that he was a Japanese social activist such as SWHK@JPN, Act with HK, and Japanese Hong Kong organizations such as “Hong Kong No Night”. The prosecution asked, does SWHK@JPN belong to SWHK (Shigemitsu Team)? Li said no, pointing out that SWHK@JPN is an independent organization.
The prosecution asked, is Lee a member of JPAC (Alliance of Diet Members Related to Japan’s China Policy)? Li said no, “I have no role in JPAC.” I was just a volunteer who assisted then-Japanese Congressman Shio Sakura Sugano in setting up the organization.
The prosecution further quoted a message sent by Perund to Li saying, “You could be the unofficial regional liaison.” The prosecution asked, what liaison work was Li responsible for at that time? Li pointed out that the relevant information was indeed “passed in” at that time, and there was also concern about Japanese language issues, such as whether there would be Japanese language support during the meeting between Kanno Shiura and Nakatani Moto.
On July 29, Lee sent a message to the TG group of SWHK IPAC (Shigemitsu Team, Transnational Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy), saying, “(Tokyo) JPAC-Japanese arm of IPAC was officially launched on 16:00 29 Jul. NSL, Japan version of Magnitsky Act, lifeboat policies for HKers, Japan-HK relation’s are discussed.” ((Tokyo) JPAC-IPAC Japan branch was officially established at 16:00 on July 29 to discuss the “National Security Law”, Japan-HK relation’s Nitsky Act, Hong Kong lifeboat policy, Japan-Hong Kong relations, etc.) The message also lists the convener of JPAC.
Li Tingjing confirmed that he wrote the message, and the list of conveners was provided by Sugano Shizakura or Nakatani Moto.
12:18 The prosecution displays the TG message
Li Yuxuan mentioned that Japan’s “Alliance of Congressmen Relevant to China Policy” will be announced
The prosecution continued to display TG messages, showing that Li Yuxuan stated in the group that Japan’s then-Japanese congressman Shizakura Sugano and House of Representatives member Moto Nakatani formed Japan’s cross-party congressmen’s “Alliance of congressmen related to China policy” on July 19, 2020. ” (JPAC), like IPAC (Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy), aims to allow Japanese congressmen who are concerned about China policy to discuss it together. The prosecution asked, what is China’s policy? Li called “any China policy.”
On the 22nd of the same month, a conversation between Lee and Perlund showed that Lee said that JPAC would hold a press conference on July 29 to announce the establishment of the organization. The Japanese team’s speaker would call for the establishment of a “lifeboat policy”, Magnitsky sanctions, and the suspension of port operations. Japan’s mutual legal assistance treaty, and preventing Japanese companies or organizations from providing assistance to the Hong Kong government.
The prosecution asked, what is the “lifeboat policy”? Li said that “it is a lifeboat for Hong Kong people,” referring to people who, for example, after the passage of the National Security Law or those who encountered political suppression in Hong Kong, “if they want to leave Hong Kong and find a place to settle down, some countries have proposed implementing policies If it is convenient for Hong Kong people to go there, then it is a lifeboat.”
The prosecution asked, what does “providing assistance” mean? Li said, “I don’t think this is clear at this point in time,” but in terms of direction, aid refers to Japanese companies assisting the Hong Kong government in political suppression. Judge Du Libing asked, does the Hong Kong-Japan mutual legal assistance agreement refer to the transfer agreement? Li said no, because there is no extradition agreement between Hong Kong and Japan, but there is a mutual legal assistance agreement.
12:04 The prosecution questions the SWHK IPAC TG group messages
The prosecution showed that Perund sent an IPAC Twitter link to the SWHK IPAC (Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy) TG group on July 19, 2020. The post forwarded the British “Sunday Times” report “TikTok shelves plan for global HQ in Britain> (TikTok shelved plans to set up a headquarters in the UK), calling it “excellent reporting”, “Thank you to #IPAC co-chair @MPIainDS for tabling an amendment to the Extradition Bill last week and to @SarahChampionMP for supporting .” (Thanks to IPAC co-chairman Shi Zhian for submitting the revised draft of the “Fugitive Offenders Ordinance” last week, and Congressman Chai Ping-yen for his support).
The prosecution asked, had the UK suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong at that time? Li Yuxuan said he was not sure. Li also pointed out that he ignored Pei Lunde’s message at the time and now saw the above-mentioned Twitter post for the first time.
11:20 Short break
10:47 The prosecution asked Chongguang’s team about letters sent to three countries urging the suspension of the extradition agreement with Hong Kong.
The prosecution showed the statement of the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 3, 2020, which mentioned that in response to the entry into force of the National Security Law, the implementation of the Canada-Hong Kong extradition agreement was suspended. The prosecution also showed the TG messages between Li Yuxuan and Perlund. Perlund sent Li a Twitter post from IPAC (Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy), mentioning that Canadian IPAC co-chairman and Congressman Garnett Genuis and former Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General Irwin Cotler were consistent Agreeing to Canada’s suspension of the surrender of fugitives, describing “the good news from Canada today”, Perlund said “Please tell SWHK to Rt (Re-tweet)”.
The prosecution asked, did Li use SWHK (Chong Guang Team) to repost the post? Li said he didn’t remember. The prosecution showed that SWHK reposted a statement from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter and said, “Thank You #Justin Trudeau and Canadian citizens for standing with #HongKong and suspends the extradition treaty with Hong Kong. and suspend the Canada-Hong Kong extradition agreement)” Li Yuebi posted that SWHK seemed to have forwarded the relevant post while he was sleeping.
The prosecution also showed three letters sent by SWHK to the foreign ministries of the Czech Republic, Ireland and Portugal, calling for the suspension of the countries’ extradition agreements with Hong Kong. The prosecution asked, how did Li obtain the letter? Li said, “I don’t remember which one was given to me as a reference. One was SWHK, the other was Luke (Pelund).” The prosecution asked, why should it be used as a reference? Lee said that because SWHK knew that he was involved in discussing the extradition agreement or conducting international lobbying with different parliamentarians, it gave him a sample letter.
The prosecution asked, are the Czech Republic, Ireland and Portugal members of IPAC? Li said that Ireland and Portugal were not, and he did not remember whether the Czech Republic was one of the original members, but he knew that the subsequent Czech co-chairman of IPAC was Pavel Fischer. The prosecution asked, because Ireland and Portugal are not members of IPAC, so Lee prepared an independence letter to those countries? Li replied that he didn’t know because the three letters were written by other SWHK members and would be followed up by others, so there was no need for Li to deal with them.
10:19 The prosecution displays the minutes of the Trans-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy meeting
Show discussion not to extradite anyone to Hong Kong or China
The “Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy” (IPAC) meeting minutes displayed by the prosecution showed that attendees included Canadian IPAC co-chairman and Congressman Garnett Genuis, former Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General Irwin Cotle, European IPAC co-chairman Kimberley Kitching, etc. The record also shows that the goal of the meeting was “Request your government for concrete in writing publicly that no one shall be extradited to Hong Kong or China regardless of nationality” extradited to Hong Kong or China)”, “Make an assurance that no extradition will be carried out as stated in (1) under the law by way of reviewing the current law and termination of the extradition agreement agreement to ensure that the extradition referred to in subparagraph (1) will not be carried out in accordance with the law).
The prosecution asked, was the above the objective of the meeting? Li said, “It’s so understandable.” He explained that if some countries fail to amend their extradition regulations, he hopes to encourage those countries to publicly declare that they do not support the extradition regulations, “which can provide some assurance in a way.” He continued that directly changing the law or canceling the extradition bill would have better results than the government’s public statement, but the former is more difficult to implement, and the government’s public statement is “easier to do.”
The prosecution also asked, was the above goal reached by consensus at the meeting? Li replied, “It should be said that there was no consensus in this meeting,” because it can be seen from the meeting minutes that parliamentarians from various countries were just discussing the extradition bill, and “different MPs (members) spoke and things that he said were listed.” He also described the meeting as “different MPs throwing different ideas” or the country’s concerns. In addition, the meeting was the first meeting of IPAC, so it did not reach a consensus level.
10:05 Li Yuxuan confirmed that he had attended the “Transnational Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy” meeting
Judge Du Libing said in the last trial that she was injured while using scissors. She said at the beginning of the court hearing on Monday that she had received stitches. Prosecutor Zhou Tianxing also revealed that Li Yuxuan’s examination is expected to be completed in 1 to 2 days.
The prosecution mentioned earlier that members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Policy (IPAC) held a group meeting on July 3, 2020 to discuss whether to review the fugitive surrender agreement with Hong Kong.
The prosecution on Monday showed a TG conversation between Lee and Luke de Pulford, a member of the British Conservative Party Human Rights Commission and a co-founder of IPAC. Pulford sent Lee an IPAC Twitter link on July 4, mentioning “Last night 16 #IPAC Co -Chairs met (16 IPAC co-chairs held a meeting last night)”. Li Ting confirmed that he was an attendee of the IPAC meeting.
TG messages also showed that Li told Pei Lunde the night before the meeting, “shiori said it’s hard for her to join now, and asks for a summary afterwards, should I join and take notes for her? or you can send a debriefing for her ? (Shizakura Kanno said she is having difficulty joining now and would like a summary of the meeting. Should I join the meeting and take notes for her? Or can you send a report to her?)” Pei Lunde replied “OK”.
The prosecution asked whether Li had written meeting minutes for the then Japanese lawmaker Shiozato Sugano. Li said he did not remember that he was involved in writing the minutes of the meeting. At that time, “Sam” or “Andrew” should have helped record the contents.
The prosecution showed a Japanese meeting record found from Li’s computer. The chairman was former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, and attendees included the “IPAC Office.” The prosecution asked, who represents the “IPAC Office”? Li said that Pei Lunde was present at the time, and “Sam” or “Andrew” helped record the content. Li himself did not represent IPAC.
10:04 Court starts
Case number: HCCC51/2022
2024-04-08 04:59:50
#Realtime #updatesOn #55th #day #trial #Jimmy #Lais #case #Yuxuan #confirmed #attend #Transnational #InterParliamentary #Union #meeting #China #policy
