China News Service, Hong Kong, December 28 (Reporter Han Xingtong) Hong Kong Next Media founder Li Zhiying and 6 other Next Media and "Apple Daily" executives were involved in violation of Hong Kong National Security Law. The case was brought to Hong Kong West Kowloon Magistracy for another trial on the 28th. All the defendants were charged with one additional count of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer to sell, distribute, display or copy seditious publications. The case was postponed until February 24 next year.
The seven defendants in this case are Li Zhiying, former CEO of Next Media Zhang Jianhong, former "Apple Daily" deputy president Chen Peimin, editor-in-chief Luo Weiguang, executive editor-in-chief Lin Wenzong, chief writer Feng Weiguang, and chief writer Yang Qingqi.
Among them, Li Zhiying, who has been sentenced for multiple cases and is currently serving his sentence in Stanley Prison, has previously been sentenced to 20 months in prison for multiple illegal assembly cases.
Li Zhiying involved three crimes in this case, which were one crime of colluding with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security, the crime of conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security, and the crime of obstructing justice.
The remaining six defendants were each charged with one count of conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security.
On that day, the case was arraigned in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court. All the defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer to sell, distribute, display or copy seditious publications.
Acting Chief Magistrate Rod Quan, at the request of the prosecution, adjourned the three cases until February 24 next year. Seven people were not allowed to be released on bail and must continue to be remanded.
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