Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai will serve 12 months in prison; for taking part in an unauthorised assembly during the 2019; mass pro-democracy protests in the Chinese-ruled financial hub.
Hong Kong’s District Court Judge Amanda Woodcock gave Lai a 15-month sentence; reduced by three months in mitigation.
Martin Lee, who also helped launch the city’s largest opposition Democratic Party in the 1990s; and is often called the former British colony’s “father of democracy;” was given a suspended sentence of 11 months in the same case.
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Meanwhile, The Apple Daily said he is accused of asking a foreign country; organization or individual to impose sanctions; or engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. He has been in custody since last week.
If convicted, the 73-year-old faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
The newspaper said his charge sheet listed several foreign politicians who followed Lai on Twitter; and also cited commentaries he wrote and interviews he gave to theb foreign press.
Lai was seen handcuffed to a chain around his waist; as guards led him to a van to go from prison to court.
