Hong Kong Democracy Activist Jimmy Lai Indicted on National Security Law Charges

Police: "Suspected Threat to National Security"

▲Jimmy Lai, owner of Apple Daily [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Jimmy Lai (73), the owner of Hong Kong's leading anti-China media outlet Apple Daily, was indicted on charges of violating the National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) on the 11th.

On the same day, the Hong Kong police stated, "Following additional investigations by the police's National Security Law task force, a 73-year-old man was charged with colluding with foreign or external forces to endanger national security."

The police did not disclose the identity of the man, but Hong Kong private broadcaster TVB and others, citing anonymous sources, reported that Lai was charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.

Now TV reported that Lai is suspected of urging foreign forces to impose sanctions on Hong Kong.

Enacted on June 30, the Hong Kong Security Law stipulates that those who commit any of the four crimes?secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, or collusion with foreign forces?can be punished with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Lai was arrested in August on charges of violating the Hong Kong Security Law but was released on bail. Subsequently, he was indicted on other fraud charges and was detained after the court denied bail on the 3rd. On the day Lai's bail was denied, the prosecution indicated that he might also be indicted for violating the Hong Kong Security Law.

Apple Daily reported that if Lai is convicted of the fraud charges, he could face up to 14 years in prison.

Meanwhile, earlier on October 29, Hong Kong student activist Tony Cheng (19) became the first Hong Kong democracy activist to be charged under the Hong Kong Security Law. Cheng was charged with conspiracy to commit secession, money laundering, and publishing seditious content, and was detained.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.