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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#FreeJimmyLai #US
U.S. Government and Senators Condemn Chinese Communist Party Government for Further Eroding Hongkongers' Freedom

The vice-president of the United State Mike Pence, State Secretary Mike Pompeo and senators including Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney have voiced support for Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, after Lai, his two sons and 4 management executives from Next Media were arrested by the Hong Kong Police.

Using #FreeJimmyLai as a hashtag, Pence reiterated his support for Lai and "all freedom loving people of Hong Kong", while Pompeo pointed out that the arrests are "further proof that the CCP has eviscerated Hong Kong’s freedoms and eroded the rights of its people."

Source: Stand News #Aug11
Twitter: Mike Pence; Mike Pompeo

Further Reading:
Hong Kong Arrests Jimmy Lai, Media Mogul, Under National Security Law

www.nytimes.com/2020/08/09/world/asia/hong-kong-arrests-lai-national-security-law.html

Japanese Netizens Show Concern Over the Arrest of Hong Kong Pro-democracy Activist Agnes Chow
#FirstHand #Aug12
Hongkongers Voice Support for Apple Daily Founder Jimmy Lai As He Leaves Police Station

0020 | Prince Edward, Mongkok Police Station
As Jimmy Lai walked out of the police station, he received chants from the awaiting citizens: "Support Apple Daily, Support Til the End!"

He thanked the public by showing a thumb up as he got on his car to leave.

Lai posted bail of HKD$300,000 cash and HKD$200,000 in personnel to leave custody.

#JimmyLai #FreeJimmyLai #SupportAppleDaily
#FreeAgnes #FreeJimmyLai
#PoliticalOppression

China carrying out political purge in Hong Kong, arresting media tycoon and young activists

On 10 Aug, the Hong Kong Police arrested 10 people at once under the controversial National Security Law. Among them are 23-year-old activist Agnes Chow, and media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

Even though none of them have faced court yet, a Chinese official said those arrested should be severely punished.

The arrests raised international concerns on Hong Kong's situation.

China wants anyone who speaks against the government to be afraid and be silent. China wants Hong Kong to know that no one is safe, that HongKongers should succumb to its authority.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-11/agnes-chow-arrested-hong-kong-china-security-laws/12544476
... That's Why Ideas Are Bullet-Proof

On August 10, 2020, nearly 200 police were deployed to raid the Headquarters of Apple Daily, a newspaper in Hong Kong with pro-democracy leaning. On the same day, citing the allegations of national security law infringement, the police arrested the newspaper founder Jimmy Lai, his two sons, 4 management executives of Next Media and 3 pro-democracy activists Agnes Chow, Yu-hin Lee and Chong-chak Lee.

Political cartoonist Badiucao captured the insecurities of the power authorities facing a voice that is different from theirs.

Image: #Badiucao
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Aug11 #FreeAgnes #FreeJimmyLai #SupportAppleDaily #PressFreedom
#FreeJimmyLai
Lyricist Albert Leung on Jimmy Lai: "God Bless Good Men"

Albert Leung, a critically acclaimed lyricist in Hong Kong shared his impression of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai on Stand News, after Lai was arrested by the Hong Kong police over the allegation of national security violation:

"I was scheduled to host a talk show with Mr Jimmy Lai this Saturday on the Apple Members Site. Looking back, I hope this would be a commitment that could be fulfilled in the near future.

Those who judge others by themselves call Mr Lai as the financier, boss, or even web brigades bred for this exact purpose in vain, have only money and their personal interests in mind, lacking the concept of an individual self. To be frank, submitting article to Apple Daily for publication is a risky behaviour of itself…"

Source: Albert Leung @ Stand News #Aug11 #SupportAppleDaily #PressFreedom
#FreeJimmyLai #PoliticalProsecution
HK Authorities Transport #JimmyLai with a Prison Vehicle for Category A Prisoner in Metal Chain, Former Correctional Officer: Political Dissents are Worse than Felons in China's Eyes

Source: Apple Daily #Dec12

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#FreeJimmyLai #PoliticalProsecution
HK Authorities Transport #JimmyLai with a Prison Vehicle for Category A Prisoner in Metal Chain, Former Correctional Officer: Political Dissents are Worse than Felons in China's Eyes

The founder of Next Digital and Apple Daily Jimmy Lai Chee-ying appeared handcuffed to a chain around his waist when he was leaving the Lai Chi Kok Reception Center on Saturday, December 12, 2020.

Lai was escorted by the Senior Correctional Officer to a special prison vehicle for "Category A prisoners" and taken to the West Kowloon Court for the first hearing.

A former correctional officer who asked not to be named said that the case of Jimmy Lai is very exceptional presumably due to the fact that he is a high-profile political figure.

According to the informant, it can be seen that "in the eyes of the Chinese, the 'crime' committed by Jimmy Lai is much more serious and deadly than the felonies."

Former social welfare sector lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun who is familiar with prisoners' rights said that the photos show that Lai was immediately listed as "Category A prisoner" by the correctional officers, once he was charged under the national security law. This is an unusual practice.

He believed that it is because Lai is regarded as a "sensitive" political figure, and the Correctional Services Department may have received higher orders.

Source: Apple Daily #Dec12
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20201212/MWTTSO3DKJFJNPF742OAJ35R5Q/

#Totalitarianism
#FreeJimmyLai #AppleDaily
Mike Pompeo and Mike Pence go to bat for imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon
#JimmyLai

Sources: Pompeo’s Twitter; New York Post #Dec12
Image: Stand News

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#FreeJimmyLai #AppleDaily
Mike Pompeo and Mike Pence go to bat for imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon
#JimmyLai

Top US officials are speaking out against the arrest and imprisonment of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily.

U.S. Secretary of State #MikePompeo tweeted on the morning of Dec 12, 2020 (Asia time) that the Hong Kong's national security law “makes a mockery of justice.” He called for Lai's release, saying his only crime is speaking the truth about China's authoritarian Communist Party government.

Separately, US Vice President #MikePence also tweeted in support of Lai, “Today’s charges against Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong are an affront to freedom loving people around everywhere.”

Pence wrote. “Jimmy Lai is a hero and I remain inspired by his stand for democracy & the rights that were promised to the people of Hong Kong.”

Sources: Pompeo’s Twitter; New York Post #Dec12
Image: Stand News

https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1337577721048784896?s=09

https://nypost.com/2020/12/12/us-officials-go-to-bat-for-imprisoned-hong-kong-tycoon-jimmy-lai/

#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliticalProsecution #CCP
#FreeJimmyLai
#Taiwan President #TsaiIngWen: Staying true to my insistence on the value of democracy and freedom, I want to openly voice my support for Mr. Jimmy Lai

Source: Citizen News #Dec16

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#FreeJimmyLai
#Taiwan President #TsaiIngWen: Staying true to my insistence on the value of democracy and freedom, I want to openly voice my support for Mr. Jimmy Lai

In a social media post on December 16, 2020, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen talked about a recent photo of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Next Digital, who was charged with a suspected violation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

In the photo, Lai was being handcuffed and entangled in a metal chain around his waist on his way to court. Tsai said that the photo was "infuriating".

Tsai said, "the Human Rights Day has just passed, but Hong Kong's human rights are still in its butter winter. Staying true to my insistence on the value of democracy and freedom, I want to openly voice my support for Mr. Jimmy Lai. I want to let him know that the whole of Taiwan, and the whole world are watching this scene. It is not Mr. Lai who was humiliated, but Hong Kong's freedom and the rule of law."

Source: Citizen News #Dec16

https://www.hkcnews.com/article/36489/%E8%94%A1%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87-%E9%BB%8E%E6%99%BA%E8%8B%B1-36489/%E9%BB%8E%E6%99%BA%E8%8B%B1

#AppleDaily #HumanitarianCrisis #PoliceState #HumanitarianCrisis #JimmyLai #Arrests #PoliticalProsecution
#FreeJimmyLai #HumanitarianCrisis
US Human Rights Commission Names #JimmyLai a "Religious Prisoners of Conscience"

Source: USCIRF Statement #Dec16

Photo: Apple Daily #Dec17

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#FreeJimmyLai #HumanitarianCrisis
US Human Rights Commission Names #JimmyLai a "Religious Prisoners of Conscience"

On Dec 16, 2020, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (#USCIRF) Commissioner Johnnie Moore announced his adoption of Jimmy Lai through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.

The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad.

Jimmy Lai is the founder of Next Media and Apple Daily. On August 10, 2020, Lai was arrested at his home in Hong Kong for alleged collusion with foreign forces under the new national security law, as well as fraud. On December 2, the Hong Kong police arrested Lai again for fraud and subsequently denied him bail. On December 12, Hong Kong authorities charged Lai with colluding with foreign forces under the new national security law. 

In the statement, Commissioner Moore said, “Communist China must immediately release Jimmy Lai along with Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and others who it has detained in Hong Kong for their advocacy of democracy, human rights, and religious freedom.”

“A proud and strong nation has nothing to fear from the criticism of its citizens. The abysmal human rights and religious freedom record of China is incompatible with its national ambition. This is the real threat to China—not its own citizens. In the meantime, the world must speak with one loud and united voice against these atrocities. I raise my voice for Jimmy Lai and all those like him.”

Source: USCIRF Statement #Dec16
https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/uscirf-commissioner-johnnie-moore-adopts-jimmy-lai-through-religious

Photo: Apple Daily #Dec17
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201217/J4AASI2HABHSBP3TEY4GR2T6A4/

#NationalSecurityLaw #US #USCongress
#Court #NationalSecurityLaw
HK media tycoon Jimmy Lai faces appeal against bail after Beijing mouthpiece slams court’s decision and demands extradition to China

The Apple Daily founder and pro-democracy media mogul #JimmyLai, aged 73, is facing trial in Hong Kong for alleged fraud and violation of the national security law by colluding with foreign forces.

On December 23, 2020, Lai was granted bail of HK$10 million on the condition that he remains confined to his home, apart from when he reports to police three times a week, or needs to appear in court. Lai is barred from expressing his views in interviews, on social media and with foreign officials.

People’s Daily, a newspaper run by the Chinese Communist Party government, slammed the Judge’s decision. “Lai is notorious and extremely dangerous, yet he became the first suspect to be granted bail after being arrested for violating the national security law, which is inconceivable,” the article read.

The Chinese state media questioned whether Hong Kong courts had “juristiction difficulty” and warned that there are legal grounds for the case to be transferred to the mainland.

The mouthpiece of Beijing even claimed there are "legal grounds for China to invoke Article 55 of the National Security Law". Article 55 states China can "exercise jurisdiction over a case concerning offence endangering national security" if the case is complex due to the involvement of a foreign country or external elements, or if a serious situation occurs where the Hong Kong government can't effectively enforce the law.

The Department of Justice in Hong Kong immediately raised appeal against bail which will be heard at Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal on December 31, 2020.

On Dec 29, Lai stepped down as chairman of Next Digital and is replaced by Ip Yut-kin, a non-executive director of Next Digital.

Source: Apple Daily; Hong Kong Free Press; Bloomberg; HK CNews; Stand News #Dec27 #Dec29

https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20201227/HHLFE3D4NJCYXEIKDQGORDBQYM/

https://bit.ly/3aQHt5q

#CCP #PressFreedom #AppleDaily #NextDigital #FreeJimmyLai
#FreeJimmy #Injustice
International attention on HK top court's decision to revoke Jimmy Lai's bail release, calling for justice and immediate release

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist #JimmyLai has been sent back to jail after the territory’s top court rescinded his bail on new year's eve. The decision came just days after People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist party mouthpiece, lambasted the decision to grant bail and raised the spectre of his case being transferred to China.

Benedict Rogers, founder of Hong Kong Watch, a UK-based campaign group, condemned the court’s decision. “Judicial independence trampled on, the rule of law further undermined, and yet another outrageous assault on #HongKongers,” he wrote on Twitter.

Another member of Hong Kong Watch, Luke de Pulford also criticised, "In a totalitarian state, if justice isn't the justice you expected, just try again."

Senior fellow at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Andreas Fulda condemned the Hong Kong Government's approach as "rule by law" rather than the rule of law and called for immediate release of Jimmy Lai.

Member of the Finnish Green Part, Eero Kivistö, rallied a demonstration at the the Chinese Embassy in Finland urging for release of Jimmy Lai and the 12 youth being arrested for attempting to flee the city.

Member of the International Commission on Religious Freedom, part of the Federal Government of the United States, Johnnie Moore pointed out that Jimmy Lai’s case showed further distortion of Hong Kong’s judiciary system.

Republican congressman from Colorado Ken Buck, retweeted Jimmy Lai's news with the hashtag #freeJimmyLai.

Source: Apple Daily #Jan1
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20210101/27DF34S3SZCP7OUGOH3JUYK27M/

#AppleDaily #NextMedia #PoliceState #DepartmentofInjustice