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New | Hong Kong bookseller speaks of safety fears in meeting with police at secret location

But force says there is no evidence of a serious threat against Lam Wing-kee, who pulled out of July 1 march after claiming he was being followed

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The missing Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee leaves police headquarters in Wan Chai after giving a statement last week. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

The man at the centre of the bookseller storm met police on Saturday at a secret, safe location where he went into hiding after a “serious threat” to his personal safety, according to lawmakers helping him.

But police said there was no evidence of a threat against him, after Causeway Bay Books manager Lam Wing-kee gave them a statement on being followed by strangers over the past few days – the reason he cited for pulling out of the annual July 1 protest march on Friday.

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Lam was supposed to meet officers at police headquarters in Wan Chai at noon, according to Democratic Party legislator James To Kun-sun, who has been helping the bookseller. But because of security fears, To said, officers visited the bookseller at his hiding place.

Lam told them that he felt he was in danger, To said, while party colleague Albert Ho Chun-yan said he had been moved to a secure location after feeling increasingly concerned about his personal safety.

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“He is doing OK now,” Ho said, explaining that the bookseller had made his own arrangements to go into hiding.

Lam Wing-kee (right) with lawmaker James To, who has been helping the bookseller. Photo: EPA
Lam Wing-kee (right) with lawmaker James To, who has been helping the bookseller. Photo: EPA
While Lam had said earlier that police were considering offering him protection, Ho clarified that it had yet to be decided.
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