In a significant development, Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai will be taking the stand in a national security trial against him, after judges rejected a bid by his legal team to have the case thrown out. The trial, which has been ongoing for over 90 days, focuses on charges brought against the 76-year-old former Apple Daily publisher under a 2020 law imposed by Beijing.

Lai's lawyers argued on Wednesday that all the evidence presented by the prosecution predated the implementation of the national security law, and thus he should not be charged. They contended that Lai had never breached the law and had no case to answer. However, a panel of three national security judges dismissed this argument, ruling that there was sufficient evidence for the trial to proceed.

If found guilty, Lai could face life imprisonment. The trial has now been adjourned until November when Lai will testify for the first time in his defense. His legal team estimates that this process alone could take up to four weeks, prolonging the already lengthy trial into its third year. Initially scheduled to last 80 days, the trial against Lai is one of the most high-profile cases brought under the national security law.

Jimmy Lai, a staunch pro-democracy campaigner, gained prominence during the 2019 anti-government protests in Hong Kong. He publicly advocated for international sanctions against Hong Kong and China, both through his newspaper, Apple Daily, and by leveraging connections in Washington and other places. Lai also provided limited support to a protester-led publicity campaign that placed advertisements in foreign newspapers.

Prosecutors allege that Lai was involved in a criminal conspiracy that began before the security law came into force but continued beyond June 30, 2020. Lai's lawyer, Robert Pang, vehemently refuted these claims, asserting that Lai never advocated for sanctions once it became illegal to do so. Pang argued that the government has failed to present any evidence of Lai's intentions to breach the security law.

While the judges appeared sympathetic at times to Pang's arguments, they ultimately disagreed with his assertion that there was no case to answer. As a result, the trial will proceed as planned, with Lai's testimony expected to shed further light on the allegations against him.

The outcome of this trial holds great significance, not just for Jimmy Lai, but for the future of Hong Kong itself. With the national security law being imposed against the backdrop of widespread unrest in 2019, the case against Lai is seen as a prominent example of how the law is being utilized to silence dissent. As the trial continues, all eyes will be on the courtroom and the implications it may have for the city's democratic aspirations.