Hunan provincial authorities have launched a new probe into the suspicious death of June 4 activist Li Wangyang, calling in a team of criminal investigators.
Public pressure for an inquiry has been mounting, especially in Hong Kong, where thousands have staged protests.
'Apart from entrusting authoritative forensic experts from outside the province to conduct an autopsy, [we] have launched a further probe by a team of experienced criminal investigation experts,' the Beijing-backed Hong Kong China News Agency quoted a spokesman for the Hunan provincial public security bureau as saying yesterday.
The announcement indicates authorities no longer consider the death of Li (pictured) suicide, as first reported, or accidental, as was later claimed.
The spokesman admitted the probe was largely prompted by the persistent attention and concern over Li's death from overseas media and the public. The findings of the investigation would be publicised in a timely manner, he said.
The intervention of provincial authorities is reminiscent of the Wukan incident, in which a land grab in eastern Guangdong sparked a protest by hundreds of villagers. One protester died in custody and the town was surrounded by 1,000 police. The siege was only lifted when provincial officials intervened to resolve the issue peacefully.
Li's friends and a veteran rights lawyer said they welcomed the announcement of the fresh investigation into the death of Li. But they said it remained unclear whether numerous suspicions surrounding Li's death could be addressed given his body was hastily cremated on Saturday.