The Hong Kong government applied to the High Court seeking the confiscation of assets belonging to media tycoon Jimmy Lai that are linked to national security-related offenses, according to a court document released on April 21, reported Reuters.
The total value of the assets targeted for seizure is estimated to exceed HK$127 million (approximately US$16.2 million). Lai, the founder of Next Digital, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February under the newly imposed China Security Law.
Hong Kong government seeks confiscation of Jimmy Lai’s assets
The Hong Kong government had previously deregistered three companies under Lai’s Apple Daily and designated them as “prohibited organizations.” On the 2nd of this month, it filed an application to the High Court, requesting, under the National Security Law and its implementation rules, the confiscation of assets belonging to Jimmy Lai that are connected to national security offenses, in order to prevent and curb acts that endanger national security.
According to Zhuiguangzhe Bao, the filing requests that the court order the confiscation of assets directly or indirectly held, owned, or controlled by Jimmy Lai. These include funds in 10 HSBC accounts, 2 Hang Seng Bank accounts, and 3 Shanghai Commercial Bank accounts—15 accounts in total—with approximately HK$32.3 million involved.
The Hong Kong government has also applied to confiscate funds held in 47 accounts under the names of 17 companies linked to Jimmy Lai, with a total value of HK$12.11 million. The companies involved include “Dico Consultants Limited,” “Chartwell Holding Limited,” and “Lai’s Hotel Properties Limited.”
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“Dico” is a Hong Kong company controlled by Jimmy Lai and his assistant Mark Simon, each holding 50 percent of the shares. “Lai’s Hotel Properties Limited” is a Canadian company controlled by the two of them. The Department of Justice has also requested the confiscation of HK$80,000 from the account of an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands, “LACOCK INC.” According to testimony during the trial, Jimmy Lai had previously transferred this company to co-defendant witness Chan Tsz-wah.
The filing also requests the confiscation of all or part of the shares in 17 companies, including Dico Consultants Limited, Next Digital Limited (in which Lai holds a 71.26 percent stake), “Chartwell Holding Limited” (100 percent owned by Mark Simon), and “Firm Way Investments Limited.” In “Firm Way,” the shareholders are Jimmy Lai, his eldest son Jimmy Lai Chi-yun, and Mark Simon, each holding a 33.3 percent stake.
Holdings Limited,” valued at HK$73,000. “Comitex Knitters Limited” is jointly owned by “Comitex Holdings Limited” (99.9 percent) and “Dico” (0.1 percent), with an estimated value of HK$71.315 million. The combined value of the shares in these two companies alone exceeds at least HK$71.387 million.
In addition, in the fraud case involving the Apple Daily office site and the Apple Daily case, Lai previously posted bail totaling HK$5 million in two separate instances. In the original trial of the fraud case, he was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment and fined HK$2 million. However, Lai later successfully appealed, with both his conviction and sentence overturned, and the HK$2 million fine refunded. Together with the HK$10 million bail, prosecutors have also applied to confiscate these amounts. In total, the prosecution is seeking to seize Lai’s assets and related property worth at least HK$128 million.
Jimmy Lai’s prison letters revealed
Jimmy Lai’s daughter, Lai Choi, and son, Lai Chung-yin, recently gave an exclusive interview to The Times of the UK, revealing multiple letters their father wrote to his family while in prison. The interview was published on the 18th.
The report stated that, due to “necessary caution,” the interview was conducted in the basement café of St Patrick’s Church in London’s West End. It was attended by the lawyers of Jimmy Lai’s children, and it was noted that even discussing Lai’s situation could potentially violate the extraterritorial provisions of Hong Kong’s National Security Law, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Lai’s children said his health is deteriorating: he has lost significant weight, his teeth are beginning to rot, and his fingernails are falling off. They also said he has been denied diabetes medication sent from outside.
They added that U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed concern about Lai’s case, and they hope he will speak out during his upcoming visit to China next month to advocate for Lai’s release.
The report described Lai as still being a caring father even while in prison. In one of his letters, he wrote: “What have you been cooking lately? After cooking, please let your mother try it and tell you where you can improve. While you are not yet working, use this opportunity to refine your cooking skills. This is building a treasure for your family—and of course for me as well! Cook more Cantonese seafood dishes, such as steamed fish and fresh abalone.”
Today, Jimmy Lai’s media business and commercial activities in Hong Kong have been dismantled and placed into liquidation by the authorities.
Lai Choi said that her father’s wishes are no longer focused on his career, but on returning to an ordinary life. “He just wants to go to church, paint, eat a home-cooked meal made by Mom, and see his granddaughter.”
She stated plainly that if her father is released, he would choose to settle in London.
By Li Jingyao
