Publisher Jimmy Lai charged under Hong Kong national security law

China critic faces possible life term if convicted of collusion with foreign forces

20201211 Jimmy Lai

Jimmy Lai has been in pre-trial detention since Dec. 3 over a fraud allegation as authorities prepared to file other charges. © Reuters

MICHELLE CHAN, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been charged with collusion with foreign forces under the city's national security law and could face life imprisonment if convicted.

The 73-year-old publisher of the Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong and Taiwan was denied bail on Saturday morning and will be detained until April 16, when the next hearing is scheduled. Lai has been in pretrial detention since Dec. 3 on a separate fraud charge after he was denied bail, with the court deeming him a flight risk.

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