<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/13/jimmy-lai-trial-hong-kong-andy-li-evidence-torture-claims>
"A key prosecution witness in the trial of Jimmy Lai took the stand in a Hong
Kong court on Wednesday, giving evidence that the UN’s special rapporteur has
said could be tainted because of allegations of torture.
Andy Li, a computer programmer turned pro-democracy activist, gave evidence
about his role in a crowdfunding campaign,
Stand With Hong Kong, to rally
support for the pro-democracy protests in 2019. The campaign, which ultimately
raised more than $1.8m (£1.4m), placed advertisements in several newspapers
including the
Guardian, the
Washington Post and the
Australian.
Prosecutors allege that Lai, 76, was the mastermind and financier behind the
crowdfunding campaign, part of the two charges that the former media mogul
colluded with foreign forces in breach of the national security law. Lai has
pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Lai’s supporters say Li’s evidence was obtained through torture and therefore
should not be relied upon.
In January, after an appeal from Lai’s international legal team, the UN’s
special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, wrote to the Chinese
authorities expressing concern about Li’s testimony.
“I am deeply concerned that evidence that is expected to be presented against
Jimmy Lai imminently may have been obtained as a result of torture or other
unlawful treatment,” Edwards said. “An investigation into these allegations
must be conducted immediately before any evidence is admitted into these
present proceedings.”
The UN convention against torture, which China has ratified, prohibits the use
of evidence obtained through torture in legal proceedings, unless those
proceedings are against an alleged torturer."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
