HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media mogul Jimmy Lai has been indicted under the city’s National Security Act amid widespread repression of dissent, according to a local media report. Local broadcaster DVB has been accused of endangering national security by collaborating with foreign forces to establish Loy, the founder of the Apple Daily tabloid. He is the highest of two dozen people charged under the law since it took effect in June. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 12 and faces a maximum life sentence. They reportedly arrested a 73-year-old man under the National Security Act, but he did not name them. Loy was arrested in August under the National Security Act. He and two executives of Next Digital, which runs the Apple Daily newspaper, were later accused of violating lease terms in the company’s office space. He was denied bail earlier this month. Beijing imposed the National Security Act in response to protests in Hong Kong that began in June 2019 over the proposed extradition law and expanded to include demands for greater democracy in the former British colony. Collaboration with foreign powers to intervene in terrorism, terrorism and internal affairs of Hong Kong. In some cases, those charged under the National Security Act may also face trial on the mainland of China, where the legal system is very opaque. The Great Law provoked more public protests and led to complaints that Beijing was violating the promised autonomy of Hong Kong. Transferred from Britain to China in 1997. Critics say the law also damages Hong Kong’s status as a business hub. Apple Daily criticized the law on its front page on July 1, calling it the “final nail in the coffin” of the region’s autonomy. Lai argued that other countries should take a tougher stance on China, and last year he visited the United States and met with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the proposed extradition bill. He was arrested on charges of participating in unauthorized protests in February and April. He also faces allegations of repression of pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, coupled with unrecognized awareness marking the anniversary of June 4, 1989. .
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