Hong Kong Court Overturns Fraud Case Against Democracy Advocate
A Hong Kong appeals court ruled prosecutors failed to prove rent fraud against Jimmy Lai. Lai is a democracy advocate and former publisher.
He remains in prison on national security charges. In another case, a Hong Kong court sentenced Kwok Yin-sang to eight months in jail.
Kwok is the father of a United States-based activist. This is the first case against a family member of an activist living abroad under Hong Kong's national security law.
Klear Note — Hong Kong's national security law punishes speech and activism. It lets authorities prosecute people for political activities. This law worries free speech supporters worldwide.
Key Terms 2
- democracy advocate A person who fights for people's right to vote and free speech.
- national security law A law Hong Kong uses to punish people for speech or actions it says threaten the government.