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Hong Kong Publisher, Democracy Advocate Arrested

VOA News

   Hong Kong media tycoon and staunch democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was one
   of seven people arrested Monday on charges of violating the new
   national security law imposed by China.

   The newspaperApple Daily, which is published by Lai's Next Digital
   company, said the 72-year-old Lai was taken from his home on suspicion
   of colluding with a foreign country. The newspaper also said that at
   least one of Lai's son's was also arrested. Hong Kong police said seven
   men between the ages of 39 and 72 were arrested, but did not identify
   the men.

   Hours after Lai's arrest, more than 100 police officers raided the
   headquarters of Lai's Next Digital company. The newspaper live-streamed
   the raid on its website, showing officers roaming the newsroom as they
   rummaged through reporters' files. The newspaper said Lai was led
   through the newsroom in handcuffs during the raid.

   Lai is the highest-profile figure targeted by the new law since it went
   into effect in July. Under the new security law, anyone in Hong Kong
   believed to be carrying out terrorism, separatism, subversion of state
   power or collusion with foreign forces could be tried and face life in
   prison if convicted.

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