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Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai charged under security law

Writer's picture: Accord News ChannelAccord News Channel

Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been charged under the territory's controversial new national security law.


Mr Lai, 73, is accused of conspiring with foreign forces to endanger national security, and could face a lengthy jail term.

He is the most high-profile person charged under the new law.

Mr Lai founded the Apple Daily newspaper and is a fierce critic of the Beijing authorities.

Beijing has said the new security law will return stability to the territory after a year of unrest, but critics say it has silenced dissent.

Mr Lai was first arrested under the law in August after a police raid on the Apple Daily's head office but was released on bail.

However, he has been in custody since 2 December, after being denied bail on a separate charge of fraud related to the lease of a building that houses the newspaper.

He will appear in court on Saturday.


Who is Jimmy Lai?


One of the city's most prominent supporters of the pro-democracy movement, Mr Lai is estimated to be worth more than $1bn (£766m). Having made his initial fortune in the clothing industry, he later ventured into media and founded Next Digital.

Next Digital publishes Apple Daily, a well-read tabloid which is frequently critical of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese leadership.

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