#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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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
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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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
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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#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
#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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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
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
USCIRF
USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore Adopts Jimmy Lai through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
#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
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
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