Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai detained for fraud

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy supporter Jimmy Lai has been charged with fraud and detained until a court hearing in April next year.

On Thursday, a court denied him bail over a charge relating to the illegal use of his company’s premises.

It comes a day after three prominent pro-democracy activists were jailed.

The arrests have raised fears of a renewed crackdown on the city’s activists and media figures, spurred by a controversial new security law.

China has said the new law will return stability to the territory after a year of unrest, but critics say it has silenced dissent.