Jimmy Lai, 71, is one of the few businessmen who openly supported the democracy movement. On Friday, Hong Kong opposition politicians Lee Cheuk-yan, 63, and Yeung Sum, 72, were also arrested.

All three were released on bail a few hours later. According to the South China Morning Post, the men are charged with violating the public order, and the trial is scheduled for May 5.

Attended demonstration

The men are charged with having participated in a demonstration on August 31 that lacked permission. The Civil Rights Front organization had planned and applied for a demonstration that day, but was rejected. Despite this, protesters gathered in central Hong Kong, and during the evening and night, violent clashes took place between protesters and police.

Owns opposition-critical newspaper

According to the New York Times, Jimmy Lai is also charged with assaulting a reporter from a Beijing newspaper. This event dates back more than two years.

Jimmy Lai owns the media company Next Media, with the newspaper Apple Daily as the most famous publication. Apple Daily is a tabloid, with a quirky and hard-line oppositional style, which is strongly critical of Beijing and the Hong Kong regime.