BEIJING, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- China confirmed Wednesday it has detained a Swedish citizen in a crackdown on human rights lawyers, but refuses to allow diplomatic contact with him.
The Swedish foreign affairs ministry said it was investigating Peter Dahlin's detention. He was stopped last week on his way to the airport in Beijing; his girlfriend, a Chinese national, is missing and believed to be in police custody. Dahlin has been accused by the government of harming the national interest.
Dahlin is the first foreigner caught up in a Chinese government crackdown on defense lawyers; at least 300 have been detained for questioning since August and several have been charged with the crime of subversion. His group, China Action, also known as the Chinese Urgent Action Working Group, specializes in offering legal advice to rural "barefoot lawyers" who provide free advice to victims of human rights violations, evictions and arbitrary detention.
Despite constant requests by the Swedish Embassy, the Chinese authorities have denied direct contact with Peter and have not provided any communications from Peter to the embassy. Peter suffers from Addison's Disease, a rare defect of the adrenal gland, which is potentially life threatening unless properly medicated daily," China Action said in a statement.
The Chinese government's latest suppression of outspoken lawyers, academics and human rights activists includes a new law putting foreign non-governmental organizations working in China under the close supervision of Chinese police.
