National security law: Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai charged with foreign collusion
- Apple Daily boss is accused of collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security
- The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment
The Post has learned that the charge stems from comments Lai purportedly made on Twitter and in interviews asking foreign countries to sanction the city before and after his arrest in August.
A police source said the force had sought legal advice from the Department of Justice before deciding to charge Lai under the legislation.
In that case, Lai and two Next Digital executives – chief operating officer and chief financial officer Royston Chow Tat-kuen, as well as chief administrative officer Wong Wai-keung – stand accused of breaching land lease terms by improperly using the company’s office space in Tseung Kwan O.
Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak, one of six magistrates hand-picked by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to adjudicate national security proceedings, denied Lai bail after deciding he was a flight risk. Chow and Wong, however, were allowed to await trial out of custody.
Lai was first arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and collusion with foreign forces in August, in what is still the most high-profile police operation under the national security law since it was imposed on the city by Beijing at the end of June. At the time, Chow and Lai’s younger son, Ian Lai Yiu-yan, were also arrested for alleged collusion.
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