Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai, figure of the pro-democracy struggle, indicted for "collusion with foreign powers"
Jimmy Lai (left) on October 15, 2020, Hong Kong (illustrative image).
REUTERS - TYRONE SIU
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Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong tycoon and figure of the pro-democracy struggle, was indicted on Friday, December 11, under the National Security Act for "collusion with foreign powers" as the prosecution of dissidents in the country escalates. former British colony.
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Jimmy Lai, 73, is to date the best-known Hong Kong figure to be accused of violating the drastic national security law imposed at the end of June 2020 by Beijing in order to end the monster pro-democracy protests that have rocked the semi-autonomous territory last year: "
At the end of a thorough investigation carried out by the police services responsible for national security, a 73-year-old man is charged with
" collusion with a foreign country or with external forces in order to compromise national security, "" the police said in a statement.
Life imprisonment
Offenses related to this draconian legislation are punishable by life imprisonment.
Mr. Lai, the boss of the
Apple Daily
tabloid
, known for his commitment to the pro-democracy camp and his harsh criticism of the Hong Kong executive, aligned with Beijing, is due to appear in court on Saturday for breaking this law, according to police ;
Last week, he was remanded in custody as part of a fraud investigation.
Mr. Lai is due in the High Court on Tuesday to apply for bail on the charge.
Hundreds of police officers carried out a spectacular search in August, in particular in the newsroom of the Apple Daily.
Fourth person charged
Several officials of the press group, including Mr. Lai, were arrested on suspicion of "collusion with foreign forces" under the National Security Law.
Jimmy Lai is the fourth person accused of breaking this controversial new law.
Among them are a 19-year-old activist accused of promoting secession, a man who drove a motorbike at police officers during a demonstration, and a man who repeatedly chanted pro-democracy slogans. towards the police.
(
with AFP
)
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See also
: Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy tycoon, prosecuted for fraud
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