The Hong Kong government has frozen the assets of Jimmy Lai, the founder of "Ringo Daily," known for its critical tone to China, under the Hong Kong National Security Law.

The tightening on the "Apple Daily" is rapidly increasing, and some are worried about its survival.

The Hong Kong government announced on the 14th that it has taken steps to freeze the shares and property in bank accounts owned by Mr. Jimmy Lai, the founder of the Hong Kong newspaper "Ringo Daily".



Mr. Rei was sentenced to prison in April for participating in an unauthorized rally, and was also charged with violating the National Security Law for harming national security in collusion with foreign powers. The trial is ongoing.



The National Security Law stipulates that "property related to crimes that impair national security can be frozen," but it seems that this is the first time that measures have actually been taken to freeze assets.



According to the Apple Daily, Mr. Rei owns a 71% stake in the newspaper's parent company, and Hong Kong media reports that the assets subject to freezing amount to billions of yen in Japanese yen. I will.



Regarding this, "Ringo Daily" does not affect the publication of newspapers or the finances.



However, as the squeeze on the media, which is critical of the Hong Kong government, is rapidly increasing, some citizens are worried about the survival of the "Ringo Daily".

"Taiwan Apple Daily" will be suspended

"Taiwan Apple Daily" published in Taiwan by "Next Digital", a company that publishes Hong Kong newspaper "Apple Daily", released a statement on the 14th, and will stop publishing at the end of the paper on May 17th. Clarified.



This is because the founder, Jimmy Lai, is expected to be detained for a long time due to violations of the Hong Kong National Security Law, and advertising revenue has decreased significantly.



The statement said, "The operation of Hong Kong's" Apple Daily "is in a difficult situation, but it is the most important measure to protect the freedom of the press," and in Taiwan to concentrate management resources on Hong Kong's "Apple Daily." It seems that it has decided to suspend the issuance of.



"Taiwan Apple Daily" means that we will continue to distribute articles on the Internet in the future.