Hong Kong court rejects application by imprisoned media entrepreneur Lai
The proceedings against Lai were postponed until January 2. The entrepreneur is then expected to make his formal plea to the charges.
The trial against Lai began on Monday. The 76-year-old is accused of several cases of "collaboration with foreign forces" - an offense that dates back to the so-called National Security Law passed by Beijing in 2020 following massive pro-democracy protests. If convicted, the millionaire faces life imprisonment.
The activist is also charged with "conspiracy to manufacture seditious material" - a criminal offense under a colonial-era law. The charge is considered less serious and therefore carries a shorter prison sentence if convicted.
Lai is one of the best-known activists in Hong Kong's democracy movement, which has since been brought to a de facto standstill by the authorities under massive pressure. The founder of the "Apple Daily" newspaper has already been sentenced to several prison terms in the past, most recently in December 2022.
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- The public prosecutor's office in Hong Kong filed an indictment against media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai for collaboration with foreign forces.
- Despite the ongoing legal battle, Lai's media organization, Apple Daily, continues to operate from exile in Taiwan.
- The Court in Hong Kong rejected an application for release made by Lai's legal team, keeping him imprisoned during the trial proceedings.
- The Court's decision was a setback for Lai's defense, as they had argued that his age and health status warranted special considerations.
- The rejection of Lai's application by the Court has further fueled criticism of the Hong Kong government's alleged suppression of dissent.
- From his prison cell, Lai remains vocal about the situation in Hong Kong, using media outlets to voice his concerns about the eroding freedoms in the city.
Source: www.stern.de
