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Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai Denied Bail as Pompeo Tweets Support

Associated Press

   HONG KONG - Jimmy Lai, the 73-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon and
   advocate for democracy, was denied bail Saturday after being charged
   the previous day under the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's new
   national security law.

   Lai faces a charge of collusion with foreign elements to endanger
   national security, apparently for tweets he made and interviews or
   commentaries he did with foreign media.

   The Apple Daily, a feisty pro-democracy tabloid owned by Lai, said he
   is accused of asking a foreign country, organization or individual to
   impose sanctions or engage in other hostile activities against Hong
   Kong or China.

   His case was adjourned to April 16 at the request of prosecutors, who
   said police needed time to review more than 1,000 tweets and comments
   made on his Twitter account, [1]the Apple Daily reported.

   The newspaper said his charge sheet listed several foreign politicians
   who followed Lai on Twitter and cited commentaries he wrote and
   interviews he did with foreign media.

   Lai, who was already being held on other fraud charges after police
   raided his media company, could be seen handcuffed to a chain around
   his waist as guards led him to a van to go from prison to court. He
   wore a navy blazer and an open-neck shirt.

References

   1. https://hk.appledaily.com/news/20201212/6YQ5N2Q6VJALLACCV4YW2OGCPA/

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