China releases Swedish rights activist Peter Dahlin
A Swedish Rights activist, who was detained in China on the charges of damaging national security, has been released and deported, BBC reported. Peter Dahlin, 35, had been held since early January amid a crackdown on human rights lawyers and activists in China. Last week, he appeared on Chinese state media apparently confessing to breaking the law through his organisation's support of local rights lawyers. The Swedish embassy confirmed he had left China but gave no further details. Its foreign minister welcomed Dahlin's release, but expressed concern about another Swede in Chinese detention. Dahlin is the founder of Chinese Urgent Action Working Group (China Action), which describes itself as a legal aid organisation. It provides assistance to uncertified lawyers who provide legal aid in rural areas, and gives direct help to disadvantaged groups and individuals who have experienced rights violations.
