FOUR dissidents detained last month for launching a signature campaign seeking the release of jailed democracy advocate Wei Jingshing have been freed.
Yesterday, they vowed to continue their efforts to secure Wei's freedom through legal and peaceful means. The group - Wang Donghai, Chen Longde, Fu Guoyong and Wu Gaoxing - were taken into custody on December 15 during a gathering at Mr Wu's house in Linhai city, Zhejiang province.
The four, speaking from Mr Wang's home in Hangzhou yesterday, said they were freed on Friday after the police failed to find any evidence to put them on trial.
'They had no other choice but to release us,' Mr Wang said.
'They interrogated us several times but what we had done was absolutely in line with Chinese laws and the constitution, which empower citizens to sign letters to the national legislature.
'We will continue our campaign to rescue Wei till we die. It was not us but the judicial officials who detained and handed down the verdict on Wei who violated the law.' Mr Wang said their relatively brief detention was partly due to international pressure, particularly from human rights groups.