The maximum sentence for the offence for which he will be facing the hearing is life in prison.

Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak on Tuesday ordered Lai to return to West Kowloon Court on July 27 for committal proceedings to transfer his case to the higher Court of First Instance for trial, upon the prosecutors’ request, reports South China Morning Post.

Lai did not apply for bail from So, a magistrate designated to handle national security law cases, the newspaper reported.

Lai, who is the founder of the Apple Daily tabloid, is a fierce critic of Beijing.