Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai denied bail as Pompeo tweets support

Jimmy Lai, 73-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon and vocate for democracy, was denied bail Saturday after being charged previous day under semi-automous Chinese territory's new national security law. Lai faces a charge of collusion with foreign elements to endanger national security, apparently for tweets he me and interviews or commentaries he did with foreign media.

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 eng in or hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. His case was journed to April 16 at request of prosecutors, who said police needed time to review more than 1,000 tweets and comments me on his Twitter account, Apple Daily reported .

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 alrey being held on or 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.

Beijing imposed national security law on Hong Kong earlier this year after stormy protests in 2019 that started over an extrition bill and expanded to include demands for greater democracy in former British colony. new law outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces to intervene in Hong Kong’s affairs. It has constricted free speech in city, and democracy activists see it as a way to suppress dissent.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Saturday morning Asia time that security law “makes a mockery of justice.” He called for Lai's release, saying his only crime is speaking truth about China's authoritarian Communist Party government. Lai, highest-profile person charged under security law, has also been arrested for or alleged offenses this year. He has been charged with taking part in unauthorized protests and with fraud over alleged violations of office lease terms.

He has vocated for or countries to take a harsher stance on China, and met with Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence in U.S. last year to discuss extrition bill, which Hong Kong government eventually withdrew. Pence also tweeted about Lai, saying charges against him are “an affront to freedom-loving people around everywhere.” 

(Im Credits: AP)