Hong Kong booksellers arrested for allegedly selling seditious books

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Asia Hong Kong booksellers arrested for allegedly selling seditious books July 15, 202611:37 AM ET By The Associated Press The exteriors of the Greenfield Book Store is seen in Mong Kok district, Hong Kong, on Wednesday, July 15 2026. Kanis Leung/AP hide caption toggle caption Kanis Leung/AP HONG KONG — Hong Kong authorities have raided two bookstores and arrested five people on suspicion of selling allegedly seditious publications, local media reported Wednesday, in the latest step targeting independent booksellers. Videos and photos from multiple media outlets showed officers wearing vests marked with "Police" seizing boxes from the building housing Have A Nice Stay, a bookshop founded by former journalists.

A bookseller was seen being taken away. A few streets away a similar scene played out, with boxes taken from the building housing Greenfield Book Store, according to a video by online news outlet The Collective. Sponsor Message Police later said they raided two stores in Mong Kok district, without identifying them.

The Details

They arrested two men and three women on suspicion of breaching the 2024 national security law, according to their statement. This is the third round of arrests linked to independent bookstores after similar operations in March and June that were widely seen as stifling dissent in the Asian financial hub. The new police statement said an investigation showed the five people were suspected of displaying seditious materials and selling seditious publications on the premises.

The publications' content includes stirring up hatred against the city's government, judiciary and law enforcement agencies, it said. Customs officials referred the case after the discovery of allegedly seditious books in a batch of goods shipped to Hong Kong from overseas, police said, without specifying titles. The bookstores were closed during usual opening hours on Wednesday.

Calls to Greenfield and a founder of Have A Nice Stay were unanswered. The exteriors of the bookstore 'Have A Nice Stay' is seen in Prince Edward district, Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Kanis Leung/AP hide caption toggle caption Kanis Leung/AP Have A Nice Stay had already announced it would shut down on Aug.

What Experts Say

In a social media post, it said financial difficulties and an elusive red line were among the factors. Hong Kong was once known for its freedom of publication and freedom of expression. Some Chinese residents crossed the border to buy books deemed to be too politically sensitive on the mainland.

Sponsor Message Lam Wing-kee, the owner of Causeway Bay Books until his death earlier this month, made international headlines in 2016 when he revealed that he was held by Chinese authorities after crossing from Hong Kong to the city of Shenzhen. Four others affiliated with the bookstore in Hong Kong disappeared in late 2015.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.