New charges against Hong Kong magnate and activist Jimmy Lai

Hong Kong media magnate and democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been charged with collusion with foreign forces and endangering national security under the controversial National Security Law. He is the most prominent defendant since the law was passed in June.

"After further investigation by the police Department of Homeland Security, the 73-year-old man is charged with "collusion with a foreign country or outside elements to endanger national security", police said in a statement Friday.

Lai has frequently visited Washington, where he has met with senior officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Advisor John Bolton, to gather support for his cause, leading Beijing to accuse him of "treason.

Earlier this month he was denied bail following his arrest in another separate case, in which he was being investigated for fraud related to the lease of the building in which one of his media outlets, Apple Daily, a leading newspaper of the opposition to China and its local allies, is located. The news was therefore received behind bars. 

His arrest in this case and the police raid on the media's headquarters triggered a wave of protests from foreign governments, such as the United Kingdom, which accused China of repressing press freedom in the city. "This is further evidence that the national security law is being used as a pretext to silence the opposition," said James Slack, spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The news about the new charges against Lai comes against a backdrop of increased repression against opposition forces, which has led to the removal of legislators and the imprisonment of prominent pro-democracy activists such as Joshua Wong. 

The law has been heavily criticised by Western countries and human rights groups, as it is seen as a tool to silence dissenting voices, because it is vaguely defined. For their part, the Hong Kong authorities claimed that it was necessary to guarantee national security, even more so after the protests that shook the city during the last year. The strict regulations even provide for life imprisonment for the crimes covered by them.

Lai has joined the list of those accused under the new rules. Among them is Tong Ying Kit, a 23-year-old accused of terrorism and secession for riding a motorbike against a group of police while waving a flag for independence last July. Secondly, another young man, 19, accused of secession for his comments on social networks and currently under investigation for desecrating the Chinese flag. Ma Chun Man, 30, completes the list, accused of inciting secession. 

On 30 June this year, despite massive protests, China passed this law, which poses a danger to the fundamental rights of Hong Kong citizens. 

The law was a consequence of the protests against the extradition law, which would have enabled people arrested in Hong Kong to be tried in China, instigated by the head of the local government, Carrie Lam, who finally desisted from passing it after the wave of protests. That reform sought to put an end to the current legislation, which prevents Hong Kong from extraditing criminals to other countries, including China, even if they are the same country. This was seen by many citizens as an excuse to hand over power to Beijing. 

The agreement signed between China and the United Kingdom in 1997 for the transfer of Hong Kong contained a number of conditions guaranteeing the city a special status. The Basic Law will be in force until 2047, when Hong Kong will lose this status.

The Law guarantees rights such as freedom of the press, assembly and expression. It also allows citizens to elect half of the legislature, and the judiciary has some independence. For this reason, pro-democracy protesters fear that the legislation passed will curtail their rights.