Hong Kong Government Seeks to Seize Millions from Jailed Activist Jimmy Lai
The Hong Kong government is pursuing the confiscation of over 127 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $16 million) in funds and corporate shares linked to jailed former media tycoon Jimmy Lai. According to a court document, the government claims these assets are connected to crimes committed by Lai, who was convicted of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious articles. Lai, a vocal critic of China's Communist Party and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, received a 20-year prison sentence under a national security law imposed by Beijing. The government argues that the case is unrelated to press freedom, asserting that the defendants used journalism as a cover for activities harmful to China and Hong Kong. The Department of Justice is seeking a court order to seize money from 15 bank accounts and shares in various companies, including Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily. 
