Chinese police have detained a journalist on suspicion of causing trouble, after he openly alleged that a senior government official was negligent with his public duties.
Si Weijiang, a lawyer for Liu Hu, said the journalist was detained by Beijing police Friday at his home in the southern city of Chongqing and taken to Beijing. Beijing police did not immediately respond to inquiries Saturday regarding Liu.
In postings on his personal microblogs, Liu had urged authorities to investigate Ma Zhengqi, deputy director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, saying Ma was derelict while working in Chongqing. The microblogs were later removed.
His arrest is a sign that Beijing does not tolerate online exposure of possible wrongdoings by government officials and party cadres.