Democracy advocate Jimmy Lai arrives at Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal where the government argued against allowing him bail in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (AP/File)Hong Kong’s top court denied bail on Tuesday to media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person to be charged under the city’s national security law. Beijing imposed the sweeping national security law on the former British colony in June 2020 after months of pro-democracy protests. Under Hong Kong’s common law-based legal system, the onus has traditionally been on the prosecution to prove its case. The tycoon has been a frequent visitor to Washington, meeting with officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to rally support for Hong Kong democracy, prompting Beijing to label him a “traitor”.

Source: Indian Express February 09, 2021 02:59 UTC