Tag Archives: rumor

Zhao Wei’s Detained Lawyer Writes “Apology” Letter

Legal assistant Zhao Wei, who was detained in July 2015 and charged with “subversion of state power,” has reportedly been released on bail but her current whereabouts are unknown. Zhao had worked as a paralegal for Li Heping, a prominent rights lawyer who was detained along with dozens of other lawyers in the “Black Friday” crackdown a year ago. After her reported release, Zhao’s social media accounts were updated with messages expressing regret for her involvement with rights activism, and accusing her lawyer Ren Quanniu of spreading rumors for saying that Zhao had been sexually abused in prison. However, her husband and others doubted that the messages had been written by her. Meanwhile, Ren, who has also since been detained for “making up and spreading false information,” has written an alleged apology. Catherine Lai of Hong Kong Free Press reports on the letter: Continue reading

Mystery Surrounding Detained China Legal Aide Deepens, Lawyer Silenced

A screen shot from the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group's Facebook page showing detained family members and attorneys

A screen shot from the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group’s Facebook page showing detained family members and attorneys, June 7, 2016. RFA

The whereabouts of Chinese legal aide Zhao Wei following her reported release from detention last week remained unclear on Thursday as her husband traveled to Zhao’s parents’ home in central China and found it empty. Continue reading

Chinese Rights Lawyers Demand Immediate Release of Colleague

A man walks past a tricycle cart decorated with flowers and a poster with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders

A man walks past a tricycle cart decorated with flowers and a poster with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders, parked on a street in Beijing, July 9, 2016. Overseas bar associations and lawyers groups have issued an open letter to Chinese President

More than 140 human rights lawyers in China have endorsed a joint statement calling on Chinese authorities to immediately release lawyer Ren Quanniu, who was arrested late last week on suspicion of “picking quarrels.”

Continue reading