Hong Kong court orders now-defunct Apple Daily to pay HK$1.5 million to couple in defamation lawsuit over 2019 articles

A Hong Kong court has ruled that the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily must pay HK$1.5 million to a couple who sued the outlet for defamation. The lawsuit was filed in 2019 over articles claiming that the couple took instructions from the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army, and received annual funds from them.

Apple Daily's final edition was published on June 24, 2021. The couple, China Innovation Investment Limited chairperson Xiang Xin and his wife Kung Ching, accused the newspaper of spreading false allegations that damaged their reputations. In its ruling, the High Court found that Apple Daily had failed to prove the allegations in the articles were true, had not attempted to verify the claims, and had not provided the plaintiffs with an opportunity to explain.

The companies behind Apple Daily were declared "prohibited organisations" by the government in March. The total damages ordered to be paid by Apple Daily and its linked company amount to HK$1.5 million.