Further information on UA: 11/10 Index: ASA 17/006/2010

Zhao Shiying, independent writer and detained signatory of Charter 08, was released and returned home on 25 January 2010. He remains under surveillance by police.

Zhao Shiying (better known by his pen name Zhao Dagong) had been taken from his home in the city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, by police on 11 January. He has signed Charter 08, a proposal for fundamental legal and political reform in China that aims to achieve a democratic system that respects human rights

During the two weeks detention he was kept in a guesthouse in Huizhou, a small city in Guangdong province near Shenzhen. He was deprived of sleep and regular food and water. Approximately 10 police officers took turns questioning him continuously for 12 days about the creation and circulation of Charter 08, other articles he wrote and activities he participated in online.

Zhao Shiying said police released him but still did not give any papers to document his detention as is required by Chinese Criminal Procedure law.

Police warned him before releasing him that he would still be under surveillance, and could be detained again if he continued to cause trouble.

At the time of Zhao Shiying’s detention, police also briefly detained his wife and adult son. They were both released later the same night, but were told by police to not talk about what happened to them or discuss the questions they were asked.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.

This is the second update of UA: 11/10 Index: ASA 17/003/2010 China Date: 14 January 2010