Bookseller Lam Wing-kee has said that he ended police protection about two weeks ago because he felt that Hong Kong authorities are unable to solve the case.
Lam was one of the five Causeway Bay Books publishers who went missing last year. Upon being returned to Hong Kong in mid-June, Lam found himself to be the target of triad-like stalking and was offered police protection in July.
The bookseller told RTHK on Tuesday that the threats he received came from mainland China, and Hong Kong police are unable to end the threats since they are not allowed to enforce the law in the mainland, nor will Beijing extradite any suspects.
Lam said that he is temporarily sheltered by his relatives, and will stay vigilant at all times in case anyone is tailing him.
He added that, upon police advice, he will be constantly changing his outfit styles and commuting routes since the public knows that he is no longer protected.
See also: Bookseller Lam Wing-kee ‘relieved’ after police agree to protect him, says lawmaker
The bookseller said that he did not regret publicising his abduction because if he had chosen to keep silent, he would have lost his freedom of speech like his four colleagues.
He added that he hopes to be a Hongkonger who can enjoy his freedom, and will continue to keep a close watch on Hong Kong affairs, write articles and participate in public events. Lam previously said that he was considering moving to Taiwan.
Asked about his thoughts on the upcoming chief executive election, the bookseller said that he hoped the city’s next leader would serve the interests of the locals, since he did not expect the current “puppet government” to resist Beijing’s continuous interference in Hong Kong affairs. However, he said he believed Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is likely to be re-elected because of his loyalty to Beijing.
Lam – founder of Causeway Bay Books – said he was kidnapped in Shenzhen and detained in Ningbo for eight months over allegedly sending “banned” books into China. In July, the Chinese government showed video footage of Lam in a detention cell to a delegate of Hong Kong officials who were attending a public security meeting in Beijing.
