Next Media Hong Kong founder Joseph Lai Chi-ying was granted bail by the High Court on Wednesday (Dec. 23) pending a trial in the “collusion with foreign powers and conspiracy to defraud” case at a later date. The Hong Kong government’s Department of Justice, dissatisfied with the granting of bail, applied to the Court of Final Appeal on Thursday for leave to appeal, while requesting that Lai be temporarily remanded in custody pending the Court’s decision. According to Hong Kong media reports, the Court of Final Appeal will hold a hearing in the morning of New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31).
Lai Chi-ying was allowed to go out on Wednesday on HK$10 million in cash, plus HK$300,000 in personal recognizance. The court stipulated that Lai Chi-ying is not allowed to request foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China directly or indirectly while on bail; meet with foreign officials; give interviews of any kind, including television, radio or online programs; or publish articles and messages on the Internet and social media, etc. Lai Chi-ying is required to report to the police station three times a week. The court announced that Lai Chi-ying’s case will be heard on April 16 next year.
Lai was arrested by police in August on a charge of “fraud” in connection with a land use right, but was soon released on bail. He was taken into custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre in Kowloon West, Hong Kong. He was denied bail on two separate occasions.
According to Hong Kong media reports, the evidence used by police to charge Lai with violating national security laws are some of his tweets on Twitter, some of his public comments and his interviews with foreign media.
Other alleged actions occurred before the national security law took effect, such as Lai’s tweets calling on the United States to impose sanctions on Chinese officials. But the National Security Law makes it clear that the law does not apply retroactively to several of the major crimes in question.
The National Security Law states that a suspect or defendant may not be granted bail unless the judge has good reason to believe that the suspect or defendant will not continue to commit acts that endanger national security.
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