* The pugnacious Lai, a thorn in the side of China, had currently been detained two times this year on prohibited assembly charges, together with other leading activists, relating to anti-government demonstrations last year.
* Lai, who established sportswear brand name Giordano in 1981, has actually seen his net worth slide from $1.2 billion in 2008, according to Forbes, to fall off the wealthiest person list in the city. His net worth is now below $1 billion, however no precise estimates are readily available.
* Hong Kong police said on Monday they had apprehended 7 people on suspicion of breaching the citys brand-new nationwide security law for offences consisting of collusion with foreign powers. Authorities said the operation was still continuous and further arrests possible.
Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Raju Gopalakrishnan
* The 71-year-old Lai owns Next Digital (0282. HK), which is considered one of the key staying bastions of media liberty in Hong Kong. Next Digital owns Apple Daily, a popular tabloid known for its feisty and vital coverage of China and Hong Kong, and Lai is the publisher.
” What I have, this location offered me, I will fight on till the last day. It will be (an) honour if I.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Jimmy Lai, one of Hong Kongs most popular democracy activists, was apprehended on Monday for believed collusion with foreign forces under the national security law, in what is the greatest profile arrest yet under the new legislation.
China imposed the security law on Hong Kong just prior to midnight on June 30, punishing what Beijing broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with as much as life in jail.
* Lai, a millionaire publishing magnate, has actually been a key critic of Beijing and widely believed to be a target of the brand-new legislation.
* Mainland-born Lai was smuggled into Hong Kong on a fishing boat at the age of 12.
* He began working in a textile factory and by the age of 25, Lai had set up an effective garment company, making sweaters for significant U.S. retailers.
* Lai states the June 4, 1989, crackdown on pro-democracy students around Tiananmen Square in Beijing spurred him to change from the garment organization to media.
* The tycoon had been a frequent visitor to Washington where he has actually satisfied senior officials consisting of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to rally support for Hong Kong democracy, triggering Beijing to label him a “traitor”.
* In an editorial in February, Chinas state-owned Global Times tabloid called Lai “a force of evil”, instead of the “hero” of democracy painted by the West.
* The 71-year-old Lai owns Next Digital (0282. HK), which is thought about one of the key staying bastions of media liberty in Hong Kong. Next Digital owns Apple Daily, a popular tabloid known for its spirited and crucial protection of China and Hong Kong, and Lai is the publisher.
* Police robbed Apple Dailys workplace building on Monday, going through documents and browsing the newsroom, regional tv showed.
* Apple Daily has actually been struck by dwindling marketing incomes along with regular attacks by pro-Beijing voices in the city.
* In an interview with Reuters in May, Lai vowed to remain in Hong Kong and continue to fight for democracy although he expected to be among the targets of the new legislation.
” What I have, this place offered me, I will battle on till the last day. If I, it will be (an) honour. sacrifice,” Lai stated.
* He has actually openly contacted foreign countries to help Hong Kong.
” The so-called foreign impact is our only salvation … I think if the Americans support us really strongly, the other countries will follow through. America needs to take the lead,” he said in his comments in May.
Media magnate Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, creator of Apple Daily is apprehended by the national security unit in Hong Kong, China August 10, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
