Suspicion clouds Wukan leader's 'bribery' arrest

A deputy chief of Wukan, who helped lead anti-graft protests that spurred a landmark election in the village, has been detained for alleged bribery.

Hong Ruichao was placed under criminal investigation on Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of pocketing funds from public projects, the information bureau of Lufeng city in Guangdong province said on Sina Weibo.

The news comes at a sensitive time, as the village prepares for new polls on March 31 and April 1.

Hong and another village deputy, Yang Semao, had earlier this month questioned the appointment of officials from the old regime to the Wukan party committee and launched a petition to hold a village assembly ahead of the elections.

"Why do they detain him? Why don't they arrest officials who sell our lands?" Hong's sister, Hong Ruiqing, said on her weibo, adding that she received the detention notice yesterday morning.

Yang was detained for alleged bribery last Thursday, but was bailed out to help organise the elections. "It is suspicious that the local authorities are interfering in the election [preparations]," Yang said.