Jimmy Lai Denied Bail Over Foreign Collusion Charge

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai has again been denied bail by West Kowloon Court on Saturday after he was charged under the national security law.

Lai has already been held behind bars since he was denied bail earlier this month over fraud charges in relation to the lease of the headquarters of his company Next Digital in Tseung Kwan O.

And on top of that, the 73-year-old mogul has also been recently charged with colluding with foreign powers to endanger national security.

As Lai appeared at West Kowloon Court for the national security charge on Saturday, the court heard that Lai had allegedly breached article 29 of the national security law in that he had asked foreign powers to impose sanctions or blockade against the Hong Kong or central governments between July 1 and December 1 this year.

Prosecutors said they plan to look into Lai's Twitter account, including more than a thousand messages and comments, as well as the visual interviews that he's done as they gather evidence for the trial.

The court's Chief Magistrate, So Wai-tak, rejected Lai's bail application and ordered him to be detained as it adjourned the hearing to April 16 next year.

The media tycoon had been escorted by Correctional Services Department officers in handcuffs, and with a chain around his waist, as he left the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre for the courtroom.