Hong Kong publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, and two other pro-democracy activists were arrested by police on Friday on charges of illegal assembly, according to local media. Lai, a self-made millionaire who has been a major financial patron of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, was picked up by police at his house, Cable TV and TVB News reported on Friday. Apple Daily, one of the publications under media company Next Digital in which Lai is non-executive chairman, said he was accused of participating in an illegal march on August 31. Veteran democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Sum were also arrested on Friday on the same charges, Cable TV reported. Hong Kong police said in a statement they would hold a media briefing on the arrests later on Friday. The arrests come after a period of relative calm in the Asian financial hub following months of intense anti-government protests. Hong Kong saw one of its worst clashes on August 31, with police firing tear gas and water cannons at pro-democracy protesters who threw petrol bombs. Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested more than 7000 people for their involvement in the protests, many on charges of rioting that can carry jail terms of up to 10 years. It is unclear how many are still in custody. Australian Associated Press
Media magnate Jimmy Lai has been a major financial patron of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
Hong Kong publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, and two other pro-democracy activists were arrested by police on Friday on charges of illegal assembly, according to local media.
Lai, a self-made millionaire who has been a major financial patron of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, was picked up by police at his house, Cable TV and TVB News reported on Friday.
Apple Daily, one of the publications under media company Next Digital in which Lai is non-executive chairman, said he was accused of participating in an illegal march on August 31.
Veteran democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Sum were also arrested on Friday on the same charges, Cable TV reported.
Hong Kong police said in a statement they would hold a media briefing on the arrests later on Friday.
The arrests come after a period of relative calm in the Asian financial hub following months of intense anti-government protests.
Hong Kong saw one of its worst clashes on August 31, with police firing tear gas and water cannons at pro-democracy protesters who threw petrol bombs.
Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested more than 7000 people for their involvement in the protests, many on charges of rioting that can carry jail terms of up to 10 years. It is unclear how many are still in custody.
