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Jimmy Lai trial
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Former Hong Kong Apple Daily executive ‘regrets’ not standing up to ex-boss Jimmy Lai

Lawyer for ex-associate publisher of defunct tabloid cites client’s objection to Lai’s idea for satirical online show and praise from industry peers

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Jimmy Lai arrives at West Kowloon Court in a Correctional Services Department vehicle on Tuesday. Photo: Edmond So
Brian Wong

A former senior executive of the now-defunct Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily regrets not standing firmly by her journalistic principles against the editorial interference of her ex-boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, her lawyer has told a court hearing.

Three High Court judges adjourned the sentencing of Lai and eight others until an unspecified date after defence lawyers wrapped up their mitigation arguments at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday.

Appeals for leniency were made on behalf of five former senior executives of Apple Daily. They were among six who pleaded guilty before Lai’s conviction for conspiracies to collude with foreign forces and to print seditious articles.
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Publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong, executive editor-in-chief Lam Man-chung, managing editor Fung Wai-kong and editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee admitted using the tabloid-style newspaper to instigate hatred against authorities and attract international sanctions before its closure in June 2021.

Chan’s lawyer, Marco Li Kwok-wai, said her professionalism had been held in high regard, with the defendant previously receiving journalism awards from the Society of Publishers in Asia and the Chinese University of Hong Kong for her coverage of international events.

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He highlighted comments by May Chan Suk-mei, a news director at Commercial Radio, who praised the defendant for her professional work ethic.

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