Post by : Shakul

The Hong Kong government has moved to seize assets worth millions of dollars from jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, according to court documents. The action is linked to alleged crimes under the city’s national security law.

Authorities are seeking to confiscate assets estimated at over HK$127 million, including funds held in multiple bank accounts and shares in various companies. The move marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against the former publisher.

Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, was convicted in December on charges of colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious content. He was later sentenced to 20 years in prison, one of the harshest penalties under the security law.

Court filings reveal that the government aims to seize money from several personal and corporate accounts, as well as shares linked to companies associated with Lai. These include holdings in media and consultancy firms.

Officials have stated that the asset seizure is part of efforts to prevent individuals from using financial resources connected to alleged crimes to threaten national security. The law allows confiscation of assets used in or gained from such activities.

The case has drawn international attention, with critics arguing that it reflects declining press freedoms in Hong Kong. Supporters of the government, however, maintain that the case is strictly about national security and not media rights.

The court will decide whether to approve the asset forfeiture request in the coming proceedings, making it a closely watched legal battle with broader implications for media and legal systems in the region.

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