Rights Lawyer 'disappears' On Prison Release Date

A mainland human rights lawyer has disappeared on the day of his scheduled release from prison, say two of his supporters who had gone to pick him up.

Two supporters of Jiang Tianyong had gone to the Henan prison on Thursday morning to receive him.

One of them, Wang Qiaoling, who’s the wife of another prominent human rights lawyer Li Wenzu, told RTHK that a policeman outside the prison told them that Jiang had left with his family members.

But Wang said they could not get in touch with Jiang, nor his father or younger sister.

Jiang’s wife, Jin Bianling, who’s now living in the United States, also told RTHK that she is very anxious, as she couldn’t contact her husband or his family either.

Jiang defended politically sensitive clients like blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng.

He was sentenced to two years in prison in 2017 on the vague charge of inciting subversion of state power. (Additional reporting by AP)

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