An investigation based on the controversial new security law was launched against the well-known Hong Kong media entrepreneur and democracy activist Jimmy Lai just over a week after his arrest.
The 73-year-old is charged with collusion with foreign powers to endanger national security, as the police of the Chinese special administrative region announced today. Violations of the security law can be punished with life imprisonment.
Lai is the owner of the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily. According to court documents, he and his employees are accused of having used the publishing building in the Chinese Special Administrative Region for purposes not provided for in the lease.
The law passed in June allows the Hong Kong authorities to crack down on any activity they believe threatens national security and severely encroaches on Hong Kong’s autonomy. It was enacted in the wake of last year’s pro-democracy protests. Lai is already being prosecuted by the Hong Kong judiciary for his involvement in the pro-democracy protests.
