- 30 minutes ago
- From the section China
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A Swedish activist who was detained in China on charges of damaging national security has been released and deported.
Peter Dahlin, 35, has been held since early January amid a crackdown on human rights lawyers and activists.Last week he appeared on state media apparently confessing to breaking the law through his organisation's support of local Chinese rights lawyers.
The Swedish embassy confirmed he had left China but gave no further details.
Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom welcomed his release, but expressed concern about another Swede in Chinese detention.
Gui Minhai, a Swedish national who lived in Hong Kong, is one of five people linked to a Hong Kong publishing house to disappear in recent months. He vanished while on holiday in Thailand in October last year.
He had also appeared on Chinese TV earlier this month, saying he had voluntarily handed himself over to the authorities.
Many in Hong Kong believe the five were kidnapped by China and are being held because of allegations in a book they were working on, critical of the mainland.
Ms Wallstrom said Sweden's "efforts to get a clear picture of his situation and the possibility to visit him continue with undiminished force".
Mystery disappearances in Hong Kong book world
Gui Minhai: 51, disappeared while staying in Thailand in October 2015. The China-born Swedish national owns the Mighty Current publishing house
Lui Bo: last seen in mainland China, just north of Hong Kong, in October 2015. General manager of Mighty Current
Cheung Jiping: 32, last seen in mainland China in October 2015. Mighty Current's business manager
Lam Wingkei: 60, last seen in Hong Kong in October 2015. Manager of Causeway Bay bookstore
Lee Bo: 65 - also known as Paul Lee - disappeared in Hong Kong in late December 2015. A shareholder in Causeway Bay bookshop and a UK passport holder. Wife withdraws request for police to help find him in early 2016 saying he has been in contact from mainland China
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