The founder of Next Media Hong Kong, Lai Chi-ying, was released on bail on December 23 after paying HK$10 million, but the judge imposed “five restrictions” on his freedom.
On Dec. 23, Lai Chi-ying applied to the High Court for bail pending trial, and was then escorted to the court by police, with 20 police officers deployed outside the High Court.
Hong Kong social activist “Granny Wong” Wang Fengyao and others show their solidarity with Lai Chi-ying outside the High Court, holding slogans and shouting “the National Security Law is unconstitutional”.
The president of Apple Daily, Zhang Jianhong, Democratic Party members Albert Ho and Wu Chi-wai, as well as Catholic Church Cardinal Josephine Chan, also showed their support for Lai Chi-ying in court.
Lai Chi-ying has been charged with fraud and colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security, and has been denied bail since he was taken into police custody on Dec. 3. After a full day of presentations, the judge granted Lai Chi-ying bail in HK$10 million, with three other personal guarantees of HK$100,000 each.
At the same time, the judge required Lai to report to the police station three times a week while on bail, and also imposed “five no-no’s”, requiring him not to leave home while on bail and to surrender his travel documents; not to use social media; not to give interviews; not to publish articles; and not to contact foreign officials in any way.
The Chinese Communist Party’s continued crackdown on Hong Kong democrats during the U.S. elections has been condemned by the international community. Political figures in the Trump administration rallied in solidarity with Jimmy Lai, with Vice President Mike Pence tweeting the hashtag “#FreeJimmyLai.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator Rubio, both Republicans, tweeted for the dismissal of charges and the release of Jimmy Lai. Another Republican, Senator Rick Scott, sends a letter to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, asking her to release former Hong Kong House members Wong Chi-fung and Lai Chi-ying.
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