A ruling by China’s top legislative body will likely prevent dissident publisher Jimmy Lai from hiring a U.K. lawyer in his coming trial in Hong Kong
The decision “devastates the remaining degree of rule of law and judicial independence of Hong Kong,” as it opens the door for local authorities to override the courts when they consider a case to be related to national security, said Eric Lai, a research fellow at the Georgetown Center for Asian Law.
An official for the Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission said the decision doesn’t undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy, but said the national security committee’s work isn’t to be challenged, according to Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. Mr. Lai, 75 years old, is the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily, a staunchly pro-democracy newspaper, and a fierce critic of Beijing and its rule in Hong Kong. He has been accused by Beijing of helping orchestrate the 2019 protests and faces charges of collusion with foreign powers over allegedly seeking sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials.Catch up on the headlines, understand the news and make better decisions, free in your inbox every day.
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