Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Sentenced Again

Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai was sentenced to a further 14 months in prison on Friday. Lai and seven others were awarded the sentence for their role in the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Lai and nine others were charged with incitement to take part in an unauthorized assembly when they walked with thousands of others.

The sentence was delivered by Judge Amanda Woodcock in the District Court. Lai now faces a total of 20 months in prison so far. The other defendants, including activists Figo Chan, Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho, and Leung Kwok-hung aka Long Hair, were sentenced to up to 18 months. Two received suspended sentences.

Lai is currently serving a separate 14-month jail term for other convictions earlier this year. The 73-year-old and nine other activists pleaded guilty to organizing an unauthorized assembly. Lai has been in jail since December and faces three charges under the new law, introduced by China in 2020 in response to the protests, including collusion with a foreign country.

Jimmy Lai’s bank accounts and his 71.26% stake in media publisher Next Digital has been frozen by the authorities. Though Lai’s arrest has sparked outrage among Western governments and international rights groups. China sees him as a traitor and an anti-China instigator.

Major Clashes took place on Oct 1, China’s national day, including a live round shot by a policeman at a protester swinging a long stick, the first use of a handgun after months of demonstrations.

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