Chinanews.com, November 23. According to Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po reports, Next Media Group founder Li Zhiying, Next Media and "Apple Daily" 6 former high-level personnel and three companies under the group were suspected of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law and were charged with collusion. Conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security and other crimes, six former high-level officials pleaded guilty in the Hong Kong High Court on the morning of the 22nd, and all pleaded guilty to the charges.
The case was heard by three judges designated by the National Security Law.
The prosecution pointed out that some defendants, including Zhang Jianhong, Chen Peimin, and Zhou Daquan, will testify in the Li Zhiying case as tainted or amnesty witnesses.
The picture shows the High Court of Hong Kong.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Zhihua
The six defendants include Zhang Jianhong, former chief executive of Next Media, Chen Peimin, former vice president of Apple Daily, editor-in-chief Luo Weiguang, executive editor-in-chief Lin Wenzong, editor-in-chief Feng Weiguang, whose pen name is Lu Feng, and Yang Qingqi, whose pen name is Li Ping.
Image source: Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao.
They were charged with "the crime of colluding with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security" and "the crime of colluding to publish, publish, sell, offer to sell, distribute, display or reproduce seditious publications", referring to their crimes from April 1, 2019 to 2021 During June 24, 2010, through the "Apple Daily" conspired to publish, publish, invite for sale, distribute, display, and/or reproduce seditious publications; and request foreign or foreign institutions, organizations, and personnel to impose sanctions on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the People's Republic of China , blocking or taking other hostile actions, involving more than 160 articles.
The prosecution pointed out that the six defendants held important positions in Next Media Group, including the president, editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief. They were familiar with the daily operation of "Apple Daily" and were responsible for relevant editorial and administrative decisions.
Therefore, the six defendants must have been aware of and participated in the activities involved in the relevant charges.
Moreover, from the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law to June 2021, Apple Daily continued to publish a number of inflammatory articles in both Chinese and English, which involved calling on the international community to sanction relevant officials of the central government and the SAR government.
The prosecution has applied to adjourn the case until the Li Zhiying case is concluded before proceeding with the intercession and sentencing. At the same time, it revealed that there are tentatively several tainted or amnesty witnesses who will testify in the Li Zhiying case, including Zhang Jianhong, Chen Peimin and the former CEO of Next Media And Chief Financial Officer Zhou Daquan.
It is reported that several prosecution witnesses were Li Zhiying's confidantes and capable officers during the incident.
The case involving violation of the National Security Law between Li Zhiying and three related companies of "Apple Daily" will be tried in the High Court on December 1.
Hong Kong's "Apple Daily" has ceased publication on June 24, 2021, and Next Media Co., Ltd. was ordered to be wound up by the court on December 15 of the same year.