BEIJING: A prominent Chinese human rights lawyer detained over a year ago in a sweeping crackdown has been released on bail, Hong Kong media said on Monday, as it showed her praising her jailers. Wang Yu was among one of more than 200 lawyers and legal activists held last July in a swoop on those who had taken on civil rights cases considered sensitive by China’s ruling Communist Party, which tightly controls the court system. She was bailed “in recent days,” Phoenix TV said. Such releases are rare in China, and usually signal a suspect will continue to be closely monitored but will not face trial. “I experienced the legal civilization of China and humane care,” Wang was shown saying on Phoenix, which has ties to China’s government. The exact circumstances in which the interview took place on Sunday were not clear. Agence France-Presse was unable to contact Wang for comment, nor authorities in Tianjin, where she had been held.
Chinese state-run media often show televised “confessions” from suspects in detention or on bail, in what lawyers say violates their right to a fair trial.
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