The media tycoon was arrested nearly three weeks ago for allegedly violating the terms of his office lease. He was subsequently charged under China's new Hong Kong national security law.
The democracy activist and publisher is perhaps the most prominent individual to be charged under China's controversial new law, which takes aim at dissent in nominally semi-autonomous Hong Kong.
The decision means at least five more months in custody for Lai, who publishes a prominent pro-democracy newspaper. His arrest comes amid a sweeping crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.
Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon known as a fervent supporter of democracy and human rights, is the most prominent figure arrested thus far under China's new national security law.
