Hong Kong tycoon jailed for joining democracy protest
A HONG Kong media tycoon has been jailed for taking part in pro-democracy protests.
Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 14 months in prison after appearing in court with nine other activists.
All were jailed or received suspended sentences after being charged with taking part in unauthorised assemblies.
Mr Lai, 73, founded the tabloid newspaper Apple Daily in 1995 and has been a fierce critic of China’s communist rulers as they crack down on the former British colony’s freedoms.
Earlier this week, Mr Lai’s paper published a handwritten letter by him, sent from prison, which read: “It is our responsibility as journalists to seek justice.” The activists were sentenced on Friday for joining demonstrations on August 18 and August 31, 2019.
Judge Amanda Woodcock said that although the first protest had been peaceful, “immediate imprisonment” was appropriate.