Outspoken Hong Kong publisher held over pro-democracy march

Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper says outspoken he of its publishing group, Jimmy Lai, has been held by police Friday over his participation in a protest march in August that was part of a months-long pro-democracy movement. paper said Lai, founder of Next Media, was picked up from his home by officers at around 7 a.m. and taken to a police station in Kowloon neighborhood.

It also said vice chairman of opposition Labor Party, Lee Cheuk-yan, and ors were also detained at same time in connection with Aug. 31 march, called to mark fifth anniversary of a decision by China against fully democratic elections in Hong Kong.

Organizers called off action after police banned it, but hundreds of thousands of people defied order and filled streets in several areas of Asian financial hub. Protesters threw gasoline bombs at government hequarters and set fires in streets, while police stormed a subway car and hit passengers with batons and pepper spray in some of most violent scenes up to that point in protest movement.

Hong Kong brocaster TVB showed police on platform of Prince Edward subway station swinging batons at passengers who backed into one end of a train car behind umbrellas. video also shows pepper spray being shot through an open door at a group seated on floor while one man holds up his hands.

Police arrested thousands during protest movement that began in June but fizzled out toward end of year amid harsher tactics by authorities. Still prison sentences have been against many on charges including rioting and possessing offensive weapons.

demonstrations began to oppose proposed legislation which would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China to stand trial, but later included demands for democratic elections and an investigation into police use of force.

Lai is a serial entrepreneur and longtime activist who sold his clothing chain under political pressure and has since focused on media in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

re was immediate comment from Hong Kong police.