Hong Kong's legal clampdown on China critic Jimmy Lai
By Jessie Pang and James Pomfret
HONG KONG (Reuters) — A landmark Hong Kong national security trial against the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Daily and its founder, Jimmy Lai, begins this month.
If convicted, Lai, 76, faces possible life imprisonment on charges he colluded with foreign forces, including the United States.
Following is a timeline of Lai's legal battles.
June 20, 1995 — Lai publishes the first edition of Apple Daily.
June 30, 2020 — China directly imposes a national security law (NSL) on Hong Kong. The law punishes subversion, secession, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces, with up to life imprisonment.
Aug 10 — Lai arrested under the NSL over alleged «collusion with foreign forces» as 200 police raid his listed company (Next Digital) headquarters, where Apple Daily is produced and published. He is released on bail.
Dec 3 — Lai taken into custody after being denied bail and charged with fraud related to the lease of Next Digital's headquarters.
Dec 11 — Lai is charged under the NSL with suspicion of colluding with foreign forces.
Dec 23 — Lai is granted bail and able to spend Christmas at home.
Dec 29 — Lai resigns as chairman of Next Digital.
Dec 31 — Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal orders Lai back into custody, saying the judge erred in granting him bail.
April 12, 2021 — «Defending freedom of speech is a dangerous job. It is our responsibility as journalists to seek justice,» Lai writes from prison.
April 16 — Lai is jailed for 14 months for taking part in an unauthorised assembly during a protest in August 2019.
May 14 — Lai's listed company faces mounting pressures, including a freeze on assets leading to its ultimate shutdown. It is the first time a listed firm
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