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Hong Kong bookseller disappearances
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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

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

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

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.

The shelves at the now closed Causeway Bay Books were stacked with gossipy titles. Photo: AFP

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.

Shuttered: A mainland Chinese tourist checks the door of the closed Causeway Bay Books. Photo: AP
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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