National security law: Apple Daily editor-in-chief, publisher remanded in custody after arrests on collusion charge
- Magistrate rules top editor Ryan Law and Cheung Kim-hung, who is also CEO of the tabloid’s parent Next Digital, remain a security threat in denying the pair bail
- The two defendants had their application rejected despite offering to post a bond of HK$3 million and pledging to resign from their posts at the 25-year-old media outlet
Two senior executives of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily tabloid charged with colluding with foreign forces have been remanded in custody after the city’s top magistrate deemed the pair a threat to national security.
Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak turned down their bail applications despite the defendants offering up to HK$3 million (US$386,000) for their releases and pledging to resign from their posts at the 25-year-old media outlet.
The joint charge also targets three affiliated Apple Daily companies – Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited – which face a compulsory shutdown and fine if the defendants are convicted.
The prosecution alleged that Law and Cheung, together with the three companies, conspired with the newspaper’s founder, Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, to impose sanctions or engage in hostile activities against Hong Kong or mainland China.