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Danny Mok

Christy Leung

Three of the Causeway Bay booksellers being detained on the mainland would be released “in the coming few days”, Guangdong police said on Wednesday night in a letter to their Hong Kong counterparts.
The letter from the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department said publishing house Mighty Current general manager Lui Por, Lui’s assistant Cheung Chi-ping, and Causeway Bay Books manager Lam Wing-kee would be released on bail pending investigation in the coming few days.
They’re accused of involvement in the case of Mighty Current co-owner Gui Minhai, who is accused of selling banned books across the border.
Watch: Hong Kong's missing booksellers: a timeline of events

A government source with knowledge of the matter told the Post it was still unclear whether the trio could return to Hong Kong.
“The mainland authority only stated Lui, Cheung and Lam would be released on bail, but did not further elaborate on the bail conditions,” the source said.
“Hong Kong Police do not know if they can come back or have to remain on the mainland pending further investigation. If they are allowed to return, when and by what means? Police have therefore requested more information.”
The source added that police would meet the trio and take a statement as soon as they returned.
“There are still a lot of mysteries at the moment – how did they end up on the mainland? There are many investigations and follow-up actions the force could do, but only when the trio are on Hong Kong soil,” the source said.

Lui, Cheung and Lam appeared on a Phoenix TV report on Sunday for the first time since they went missing last year.
The report quoted mainland police as saying they had assisted Gui in selling banned books across the border.
But it said the trio could be granted bail pending investigation and return to Hong Kong soon due to their “good attitude” in confessions.
On Monday, Lee Po, who runs the bookstore, also appeared on Phoenix TV, admitting he had sneaked into the mainland illegally to assist in an investigation involving his publishing associate, Gui.
Lee, a British national who runs Causeway Bay Books, said he and his wife had both decided to give up their UK citizenship.
Hong Kong police said on Monday they had met Lee at an undisclosed location on the mainland and he told them he had willingly returned there by his own means, and he had not been abducted, but he refused to disclose other details.
He stuck to his story that he was free and safe across the border and was helping with an investigation involving Gui.
He again asked them to cancel his case and informed them he did not need any help from the Hong Kong government. Lee said he would return home when the investigation was over.
Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung said on Tuesday he suspected Lee Po was hiding something, but the force would have to accept his story that he had sneaked into the mainland of his own free will in order to help with an investigation.
Additional reporting by Stuart Lau


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Hong Kong bookseller disappearances

Booksellers’ release in ‘few days’ after televised confessions, but return to Hong Kong uncertain

Three of the missing Hong Kong booksellers, who are connected to Causeway Bay Books. L-R: Cheung Chi-ping, Lui Por and Lam Wing-kee as they appeared during their televised confessions this week. Photo: Phoenix TV

(FILES) This file photograph taken on January 5, 2016 shows an employee walking past shelves in a bookstore in the Causeway Bay district in Hong Kong. Britain said February 12, 2016 a Hong Kong bookseller believed detained by China was "involuntarily removed to the mainland", in its strongest comments yet on a case that has rocked the city amid fears its promised freedoms are being eroded. AFP PHOTO / Philippe Lopez / FILES

A mainland Chinese tourist checks with the door of the closed Causeway Bay Bookstore which is known for gossipy titles about Chinese political scandals and other sensitive issues that are popular with visiting tourists from the mainland, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Mainland Chinese authorities say they're investigating three missing Hong Kong booksellers for unspecified criminal activity, shedding more light on a case that's gripped residents with fear that Beijing is tightening its hold on the city. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Missing Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee is a ‘super book lover’ who used to be boss of Causeway Bay Books

No Caption Available.

Guangdong police have confirmed that Lui Por, Cheung Chi-ping and Lam Wing-kee are being investigated in mainland China. Photos: SCMP Pictures, David Wong

Hong Kong bookseller Lee Po is not telling the full story, police chief says

Hong Kong police commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung, and Lee Po (inset). Photos: SCMP Pictures

I sneaked into mainland China illegally to help an investigation ... and gave up my British citizenship too, says missing Hong Kong bookseller Lee Po

Lee Po appeared at ease during the interview with Phoenix TV. Photo: Phoenix TV

People make their visit outside the Causeway Bay Books, a bookstore located on Lockhart Road in Causeway Bay. The poster on the window shows the missing booksellers. 02FEB16 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Causeway Bay Books shareholder Lee Bo during a protest over the disappearance of booksellers, in Hong Kong, China in this January 10, 2016 file photo. Britain said on February 12, 2016 that a missing Hong Kong seller of gossipy books on China's leaders had likely been "involuntarily removed" to China from Hong Kong, constituting a "serious breach" of a longstanding bilateral treaty between the U.K. and China. Picture taken January 10, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/Filer

epa05144038 A 'Closed' sign and support messages hang on the door of the Causeway Bay Books store in Hong Kong, China, 05 February 2016. Guangdong police have finally confirmed that booksellers Lam Wing-kee, Cheung Chi-ping and Lui Por, are being investigated in mainland China. The three plus Gui Minhai and Lee Po, also held by Chinese police, are associated with the publishing house 'Mighty Current' and Causeway Bay Books that publish and sell books critical of mainland China leaders and the Chinese Communist Party. EPA/JEROME FAVRE

China hits back after UN high commissioner’s critical remarks on missing Hong Kong bookseller

File picture of 65-year-old Lee Bo, a major shareholder in Causeway Bay Books.

The case involving bookseller Lee Po (right) has drawn international attention. Photo: EPA

News

Hong Kong

Letter to Hong Kong police confirms bail, but no end in sight for Gui Minhai, Lee Po


Booksellers’ release in ‘few days’ after televised confessions, but return to Hong Kong uncertain

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Letter to Hong Kong police confirms bail, but no end in sight for Gui Minhai, Lee Po

Letter to Hong Kong police confirms bail, but no end in sight for Gui Minhai, Lee Po