A Hong Kong bookseller, who was freed recently after eight-months in detention, has been ordered to travel back to China to face penalties for violating the terms of his parole.

The Ningbo Public Security Bureau urged the bookseller, identified as Lam Wing Kee, to return to China for investigation, Hong Kong Free Press reported. This comes after Hong Kong officials visited Beijing to talk about the communication mechanism for Hong Kong people detained in the mainland. The bureau added that Lam's statements and actions after being free violated the bail laws in China.

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"If he refuses to return, the bureau will amend the criminal compulsory measures in accordance with the law," the bureau said.

The request for Lam to return to China comes after he said that he was kidnapped in Shenzhen and was held in Ningbo. The condition for his freedom was reportedly that he would hand over customer information about Chinese citizens who bought books that are not allowed to be sold in China.

The books are said to have been discovered after being posted online back in 2015. Authorities found out that the books were from Lam's bookstore called Causeway Bay Books. More booksellers were arrested in October last year. Others have been freed but have not issued detailed statements like  Lam after returning to Hong Kong. One more bookseller remains in police custody.

The bureau stated that Lam accrued over 400,000 Chinese yuan ($60,000) from selling 368 books shipped into China, The New York Times reported. He was also reportedly provided with livelihood assistance by Chinese authorities after Lam claimed that he does not have a good relationship with his family. He also reportedly promised to return to China after posting bail.

Lam is said to be in a safe house in Hong Kong and is with his lawyers. They have not yet responded to China's latest request. 

TagsHong Kong Bookseller, china, Lam Wing-Kee, eight-month detention, penalties, parole violation, Ningbo Public Security Bureau, Hong Kong, bail laws