Police in Beijing have released renowned documentary filmmaker Du Bin on bail for five weeks after he disappeared from his apartment in the capital.
"[On Monday] around 10 pm, he was released," his younger sister Du Jirong said, speaking on the phone from their hometown Linyi, in eastern China's Shandong province. "I'm very relieved."
Hu Jia, a well-known Beijing-based human rights advocate and friend of Du, also confirmed his release on bail.
Du is now free awaiting trial on charges of "creating disturbances", Hu said. The charges can lead to a jail sentence of up to 10 years, according to Chinese criminal law.
The filmmaker and journalist, who previously worked for the New York Times, was last seen on May 31. Concerned family found a summons order from the Fengtai District Public Security Bureau in his deserted apartment, but for two weeks police declined to confirm his detention to his family and partner.
His sister was informed in mid-June by police that he was being held at Fengtai detention facility and that his case was being investigated by state security.