Pro-democracy donor hacked in Hong Kong

Media baron Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, publisher of the forthright Apple Daily and Next magazines, allegedly was the target of cyberspies.   

About 900 documents detailing the Next Media Group founder’s donations to pro-democracy parties and organizations were leaked to pro-Beijing publications.

“The Hong Kong government is maintaining a sullen silence in the face of military-grade cyber-terrorism unleashed over recent weeks against pro-democracy activists and the press,” Asia Sentinel reports.

“Voice of Loving Hong Kong,” a pro-Beijing outfit, has filed a complaint with the Independent Commission Against Corruption that alleges five lawmakers failed to report donations made by Lai.

According to GlobalPost, Lai confirmed the authenticity of most of the documents, which, he said, were stolen from group chief operating officer Mark Simon's computers.

"What's wrong that I donate to people who share my philosophy, who do good to the society?" he said on an online radio program.

Lai rejected claims that foreign government money was involved.

"I, (Jimmy) Lai Chee-ying, have never accepted or asked for help from any foreign power. I don't need to buy friends with money. Those (prodemocracy figures) will not listen to me just because I have made donations," he said.