[xtypo_dropcap]A[/xtypo_dropcap]fter last week publishing an investigative report about the collusion of a private company with the Chinese state to repress dissent, the Beijing-based Caijing magazine on Monday met with response from the police.
The initial story was a lengthy investigation into the role of high-profile security company Anyuanding’s systematic involvement in the kidnapping of petitioners to Beijing.
On Monday, the magazine’s offices were surrounded by Beijing police, Radio Free Asia reported on Sept. 21.
“Lawyers have expressed that this action by Beijing police has seriously exceeded their jurisdiction,” the RFA report said.
They blocked the door, and called out the editor responsible for the report, Luo Changping.
Beijing human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, media worker Beifeng, and Zhang Dajun from The Transition Institute, all went to the magazine’s offices to find out what happened.
Zhang Dajun told RFA, “I’m not sure exactly what the police and Caijing Magazine’s staff were talking about. But I heard that it has something to do with Anyuanding Security Compay’s helping the government intercept petitioners. I think this is serious: so many police went to a magazine’s offices late at night. This impacts on media freedom and expression, it’s like intimidating the media.”
Luo Changping is currently the associate-editor-in-chief of Caijing Magazine. RFA attempted to speak to him on Tuesday but was told Mr. Luo could not accept an interview.
Pu Zhiqiang, Caijing Magazine’s legal advisor, told RFA that the police had seriously exceeded their jurisdiction.
“If it has done harm to anyone or there’s a factual discrepancy, they can express their views or file a lawsuit. It’s not a criminal case. Why do police come to pay a visit?”
