China recently requested that a Hong Kong bookseller, who was detained in the mainland for several months last year, return to face penalties for violating the terms of his parole. However, officials in Hong Kong are refusing to let him go back.

According to the BBC, Hong Kong's security chief said that there was no legal basis to transfer the bookseller, identified as Lam Wing Kee, back to China. This comes after Chinese police said that Lam had breached the terms of his bail and have threatened that he could be taken by force if he does not voluntarily turn himself in.

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Lam was reportedly kidnapped last year after he was found to be the source of books prohibited in China. He is said to have shipped the books to Chinese customers and earned thousands of dollars from the business. Lam said in a statement weeks ago that Chinese police officials let him go after he promised to return with a list of names of the people who bought the books from him.

The Times reported that after Chinese police officers threatened Lam with further action if he does not return to the mainland to face his penalties, Lam is now considering leaving Hong Kong as he fears for his safety.

"There is no legal arrangement for the transfer of a person to the mainland authorities and the Hong Kong government will handle all cases in accordance with the law of Hong Kong," Hong Kong security chief Lai Tung-kwok said in a statement. As per the Hong Kong law, Chinese police do not have authority in the country.

Four other men were reportedly detained by Chinese police, all of whom are also booksellers. They have been named as Lui Bo, who went missing in October 2015 and returned to Hong Kong only in March. Cheung Jingping also went missing in October 2015 and resurfaced in March. Lee Bo went missing in December last year and came back to Hong Kong in March.

The last missing person has been identified as Gui Minhai. He went missing in October but has not returned. 

TagsLam Wing-Kee, china, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Bookseller, Ningbu, Hong Kong's security chief Lai Tung-kwok, probation violation, bail laws