Veteran journalist Allan Au granted bail after 17 hours in custody

Veteran journalist Allan Au Ka-lun was released on police bail late on Monday after being held in custody for 17 hours, following his arrest by the national security police for allegedly conspiring to publish seditious material.  

It is believed the case is linked to no more than 10 of his columns published in the now-defunct pro-democracy online Stand News, where seven management members were arrested for conspiring to publish seditious material after a raid in December.  

Read more: National security police arrest veteran journalist

With no charges laid against him by police, Au left Kwai Chung Police Station at around 11.30pm yesterday. It is understood he is required to report back to the force in mid-July.  

Asked if he would continue to author articles, the 54-year-old journalist did not answer any questions but only gestured by placing his palms together several times.  

"Today's not a good time to talk," is the only thing he told reporters, also appreciating people's concern.

Au, 54, a consultant at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's journalism school, was arrested at his Lai King home yesterday morning and taken to Kwai Chung Police Station.  

Police said they arrested a 54-year-old man in Kwai Chung during the day for conspiracy to publish seditious material. An investigation was underway, and further arrests were possible.