China Briefing | A young life lost: it’s time for justice to be served
The investigation into the death in police custody of Lei Yang offers officials a chance to make good on the president’s pledge of fairness
Nearly one month after the suspicious death of a young father in police custody, mainland prosecutors said last Wednesday they would launch an official investigation into five Beijing policemen involved in the case.
The death sparked a national uproar over police brutality and highlighted widespread distrust over law enforcement.
It will be a pity if mainland authorities just treat this as an isolated case
The announcement of the investigation, albeit late in coming, has no doubt raised expectations that it will uncover the truth behind the tragic loss of a young life. But it will be a pity if mainland authorities just treat this as an isolated case – as the signs indicate this is what they intend to do. Instead, leaders should turn this into a landmark case to promote justice and fairness by allowing an open and rational debate online and in the official media so that it can help restore public confidence in the rule of law and law enforcement.
Chinese police officer probed over death in custody of man held after visiting massage parlour
From the very beginning, the official police account of the death of Lei Yang, 29, was met with widespread disbelief and anger.
According to state media reports, on the night he died on May 7, Lei left home between 8.30pm and 9pm to pick up a relative from the airport. But he was detained by police shortly afterward, and less than two hours later, he was dead, his body covered in bruises.
The police had said Lei died in hospital after resisting arrest during an anti-prostitution sting on a brothel fronting as a foot massage parlour near his home.
Following the public uproar, Beijing public security was forced to allow the policeman in charge of the raid to give lengthy interviews to People’s Daily and China Central Television, along with the alleged prostitute, to prove Lei solicited sex and the raid was properly executed.
But the public were further incensed after the police account focused upon Lei paying for sex and more witnesses came forward, contradicting their explanations of how he died.