This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-36055000

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China human rights lawyer Ge Yongxi detained China briefly detains rights lawyer Ge Yongxi over Panama Papers post
(about 4 hours later)
Police in China have detained prominent human rights lawyer Ge Yongxi, his lawyer says. Police in China briefly detained prominent human rights lawyer Ge Yongxi over posts he made on social media about the leaked Panama Papers.
Mr Ge was taken from his Guangzhou home overnight, with no explanation from the authorities, the lawyer told the BBC. Mr Ge was taken from his Guangzhou home overnight but released late on Friday.
Some reports suggest Mr Ge's detention may be linked to social media posts he made mocking China's censorship of news about the leaked Panama Papers. He had posted a picture of the Panama Canal, with photoshopped images of President Xi Jinping and two former Chinese leaders in the picture.
Those papers showed that relatives of several Chinese leaders had links to offshore firms. The Panama Papers showed that relatives of several Chinese leaders had links to offshore firms.
It is understood that Mr Ge has been accused of "publicly humiliating others", the BBC's Shanghai correspondent Robin Brant reports. Mr Ge, a high-profile civil rights campaigner, was last detained 10 months ago, then released after a public petition, the BBC's Shanghai correspondent Robin Brant reports.
The civil rights campaigner was last detained 10 months ago, then released after a public petition, our correspondent adds. He was detained this time for "insulting other people".
His detention comes just a day after the US criticised Beijing for what it called a "severe crackdown" on lawyers linked to human rights campaigners. Written promise
Mr Ge said police had asked him where he got the picture from and made him write a letter of assurance promising not to post the picture again.
He told the BBC he had been released at 21:40 (13:40 GMT), after 22 hours in detention.
Dozens of human rights lawyers had gathered outside the public security bureau on Friday to show their support for Mr Ge.
The incident comes just a day after the US criticised Beijing for what it called a "severe crackdown" on lawyers linked to human rights campaigners.
Last July, the Chinese authorities launched what appeared to be an orchestrated campaign, when more than 280 human rights lawyers and activists - along with their associates - were summoned or detained or just disappeared.Last July, the Chinese authorities launched what appeared to be an orchestrated campaign, when more than 280 human rights lawyers and activists - along with their associates - were summoned or detained or just disappeared.
While many have since been released, others were formally arrested or charged with subversion.While many have since been released, others were formally arrested or charged with subversion.