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Chinese journalist who worked for German publication released from jail Chinese journalist who worked for German publication released from jail
(35 minutes later)
A Chinese journalist will be freed without charge following nine months in detention after she helped cover the Hong Kong democracy protests for a German publication, her lawyer has said.A Chinese journalist will be freed without charge following nine months in detention after she helped cover the Hong Kong democracy protests for a German publication, her lawyer has said.
Beijing prosecutors decided not to bring any charges against Zhang Miao, who was a news assistant for Die Zeit, said lawyer Zhou Shifeng, who was notified of the decision on Thursday.
He said Zhang was scheduled to be released on Thursday night after being detained in October on a disturbance charge.
Zhang’s detention highlights the precarious situation for Chinese nationals working for foreign media, as they often become targets of police harassment and intimidation.
Related: Hong Kong protests bring crisis of confidence for traditional mediaRelated: Hong Kong protests bring crisis of confidence for traditional media
Angela Kockritz, the Beijing correspondent for Die Zeit, left China after she also felt pressure from authorities following Zhang’s detention. Prosecutors in Beijing decided not to bring charges against Zhang Miao, who was a news assistant for Die Zeit, said lawyer Zhou Shifeng.
Zhou said he had argued to prosecutors that the evidence against Zhang was obtained through coercion and torture and should be considered illegal. “We had expected her release because we believed the evidence was invalid and could not be used,” Zhou said. Zhou said Zhang was scheduled to be released on Thursday night after being detained in October on a disturbance charge.
Kockritz and Die Zeit could not be immediately reached for comment. Her detention highlights the precarious situation for Chinese nationals working for foreign media, as they often become targets of police harassment and intimidation.
Angela Köckritz, the Beijing correspondent for Die Zeit, left China after she also felt pressure from authorities following Zhang’s detention.
Zhou said he had argued to prosecutors that the evidence against his client was obtained through coercion and torture and should be considered illegal. “We had expected her release because we believed the evidence was invalid and could not be used,” he said.
Köckritz and Die Zeit could not be immediately reached for comment.