A Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon detained under a new national security law was granted bail on Wednesday under strict conditions, including house arrest and a ban on social media posts.

Jimmy Lai, a vocal Beijing critic, is one of the highest-profile figures charged under a sweeping security law that China imposed on the financial hub over the summer in a bid to stamp out dissent.

He is accused of colluding with foreign countries by calling on overseas governments to sanction Hong Kong and China in response to its ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activism in the city.

Lai, 73, was remanded into custody earlier this month by a dedicated national security judge sitting in a lower court.

But on Wednesday, his legal team appealed to the city's High Court, where he was granted bail by a more senior judge picked to adjudicate national security cases.

Judge Alex Lee ordered Lai to pay a HK$10 million bond (US$1.3 million) and imposed a number of other conditions.

He must remain at home, surrender all travel documents and hold no meetings with foreign officials or foreign institutions deemed to be hostile to China.

Lai was also banned from posting on social media, issuing statements or speaking to the media.

Court rules restrict the press from detailing legal arguments made by prosecutors and the defence during a bail hearing.

Lai's Apple Daily newspaper has previously reported that the bulk of the prosecution's case against him revolves around tweets and interviews he has given to the media since the national security law was imposed in late June.

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

US restricts visas for Chinese officials suspected of rights abuses
Washington (AFP) Dec 21, 2020
The US imposed additional restrictions Monday on visas for Chinese officials suspected of human rights abuses, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced, the latest such curbs amid high tensions with Beijing. The new restrictions concern "Chinese officials who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, policies or actions aimed at repressing religious and spiritual practitioners, members of ethnic minority groups, dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, labor organizers, civil soci ... read more