Duo plead guilty in national security case

Two men on Thursday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, in a national security case linked to jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

At the High Court, Andy Li, 31, and Chan Tsz-wah, 30, admitted to colluding with Lai, 73, and others to ask foreign forces to impose sanctions on Hong Kong or China between July 2020 and February 2021.

Prosecutors alleged that Li and Chan were core members of a political campaign led by Lai which called for international sanctions by organising rallies, publishing propaganda, and lobbying overseas politicians.

“I agree with the facts and I would like to say sorry,” Li said.

Li was among 12 Hong Kong people intercepted by the Guangdong coast guard in August last year as they allegedly tried to flee Hong Kong by speedboat.

Both he and Chan were already in custody before Thursday’s hearing.

Lai is yet to enter a plea in the case which was adjourned to January 3 next year.