Mystery, Concern Spread with Release of Young Chinese Activist

 Zhao Wei
You Minglei and Zhao Wei. You says he does not believe an online apology purportedly by Zhao was written of her own freewill.  Photograph: You Minglei

Four days after the release on bail of a young Chinese activist after more than a year in detention, she still has not been seen publicly, her lawyer has been arrested and her husband doubts that she is the one behind posts on her social media.

Zhao Wei, a legal assistant for the prominent detained lawyer Li Heping, was herself detained last July on subversion charges but released on bail on Thursday given what police in the city of Tianjin described as her good behavior and confessing to the charges leveled against her.

Since her release, the only people who are believed to have seen Zhao are her mother and father, because Zhao posted a message about celebrating her mother's birthday with them.

Neither Zhao nor her parents were reachable.

But she has been active on social media, posting a series of messages that her supporters say have raised more questions than answers.

In one post on her Weibo page, she thanked police for treating her well. In another, she accused her former employer, Li Heping, of having "concealed information from her" and that she was "so naive" to trust and work for him.

The Tianjin police gave no immediate response when asked by Reuters to clarify Zhao's situation.

Those who knew Zhao have expressed surprise at her attacks given her strong advocacy of rights causes. She also accused her lawyer, Ren Quanniu, of spreading rumors of purported sexual abuse she suffered while in detention.

"I don't think it's her who posted on Weibo," Zhao's husband, You Minglei, told Reuters by telephone. "The posts are very suspicious."

You said he did not believe anyone apart from her parents had seen Zhao.

SWEEPING CRACKDOWN

Police arrested her lawyer, Ren, in Zhengzhou on Friday, in Henan province, and charged him with "picking quarrels and provoking trouble".

Authorities in Zhengzhou could not be reached for comment about Ren's detention.

A group of more than 100 rights lawyers in China have since launched an online petition condemning the arrest and calling for Ren's release.

"Ren was doing his job to find out the truth of Zhao's arrest but was rejected many times when requesting to see Zhao in person," You said.

China's leadership has overseen a sweeping crackdown on activists since President Xi Jinping took power, including detaining dozens of rights lawyers in what the government says is the targeting of crime.

Beijing has repeatedly said, in relation to the detained lawyers, that those who break the law will be punished and that people's rights are guaranteed.

Asked on Monday about renewed concern from the U.S. State Department on the detained lawyers, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang denounced the United States, saying it would "fail in trying to use the co-called human rights to interfere in China's internal affairs". 

Even when released on bail, under China's Criminal Procedure law, individuals are subject to monitoring, summons, restriction of movement and other conditions.

"We don't know if she is completely brainwashed, or her name is simply being used. We haven't seen her and we can't check," said another source who was once in close touch with Zhao, requesting anonymity for fear of repercussions.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.