A Hong Kong High Court orders the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily to pay HK$1.5 million in damages in a defamation lawsuit over articles published in 2019. The payment is ordered after the court finds liability in connection with statements made in the reporting.
The lawsuit is brought by listed company China Innovation Investment Limited, its chairperson Xiang Xin, and his wife Kung Ching. According to reporting, the articles are described as accusing the plaintiffs of spying on the city’s pro-democracy activists at Beijing’s behest. The High Court judgment is delivered on Tuesday.
Both outlets report that Apple Daily has already ceased operations and is under liquidation. The court’s written reasons, as described in one account, indicate the outlet presents no evidence in its defence, which contributes to the court ruling against it. The reporting frames the case as one of several defamation matters tied to Apple Daily’s 2019 coverage.
Key points common across the reports are that the order is for HK$1.5 million, relates to 2019 articles, and is made against Apple Daily despite its defunct status.
