Police in China have arrested one of the country's most celebrated human rights lawyers, as leaders of the ruling Communist Party renew their push to punish government critics.
Pu Zhiqiang, a prominent rights campaigner who has represented dissident artist Ai Weiwei, was arrested on suspicion of "creating disturbances and illegally obtaining personal information", according to a posting by the Beijing Public Security Bureau on its verified microblog.
The police added that a further investigation into Pu's "other alleged crimes" was underway.
Pu's lawyer, Si Weijiang, maintained that political reasons were behind the arrest.
"He's innocent. He hasn't committed these crimes," Si told AFP by phone on Friday night.
He said that authorities had likely been incensed by critical statements Pu had made on his Sina Weibo microblogging account, which has repeatedly been shut down.
Share
