Lai’s supporters say evidence of Andy Li should not be relied upon as it was obtained through torture

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.

Media tycoon and pro-democracy activist is accused of conspiring to commit foreign collusion and publish seditious material

Jimmy Lai has pleaded not guilty to all charges at the resumption of his national security trial in Hong Kong.

The media tycoon and pro-democracy activist is facing up to life in prison if found guilty on the charges against him, brought under the 2021 national security law and a colonial-era sedition law.