Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai denied bail on fraud charge

Jimmy Lai, seen here in October, has been denied bail after a court appearance in Hong Kong (Kin Cheung/AP)

Outspoken Hong Kong pro-democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been refused bail a fraud charge amid a growing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous city.

Jimmy Lai of Next Digital, which publishes the Apple Daily newspaper, was among 10 people arrested on August 10 on what police said was suspicion of violating a national security law and collusion with a foreign country.