Hong Kong media tycoon's trial begins

HONG KONG, Dec 18 (BBC): Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has gone on trial in Hong Kong on charges of breaching national security and colluding with foreign forces.

Mr Lai, 76, denies all the charges. Jailed since December 2020, he faces life in prison if he is found guilty. The self-made millionaire was arrested under a security law which China is accused of using to crush dissent. His case has caused an international outcry and is widely seen as a test of Hong Kong's judicial independence.

Mr Lai, who has been held in solitary confinement for the past three years, looked thinner than in earlier hearings as he appeared in court flanked by prison guards before three judges. He smiled and waved at relatives.

He is one of more than 250 activists, lawmakers and protesters detained under the National Security Law (NSL) and sedition charges. The landmark trial, delayed for a year, is expected to last for about 80 days.