BEIJING, July 31 (UPI) -- The founder of a legal aid society in Beijing has become the latest victim of China's crackdown on human rights lawyers, his organization says.
Xu Zhiyong was taken into custody in an early morning raid on his home, The Australian reported Friday.
The newspaper says Xu was detained along with a colleague from the Open Constitution Initiative that was shut down by Chinese authorities two weeks ago.
"Dr. Xu Zhiyong and the organization have always been working openly, within the legal framework of the country," read a statement released by Open Constitution Initiative.
Hours after the statement was issued, the group's Web site was shut down.
At least 53 Chinese lawyers involved in human rights work have had their licenses suspended or rescinded amid growing unrest in the country, The Australian says.
