General
Hong Kong court grants media tycoon Jimmy Lai bail in national security, fraud case
A Hong Kong court has granted HK$10 million ($1.7 million) bail to media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the highest-profile pro-democracy activist charged under the city’s new national security law on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces.
Key points:
- Jimmy Lai is one of Hong Kong’s most ardent critics of Beijing
- He has frequently visited the US to rally support for Hong Kong democracy, prompting China to label him a “traitor”
- The 73-year-old had been in custody since December 3
An immediate appeal lodged by the prosecution on Wednesday was denied by the city’s High Court.
Mr Lai is one of the financial hub’s most ardent critics of Beijing, while his Next Media group is considered one of the key remaining bastions of media freedom.
He was arrested in…
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