China lets Swedish doctor see detained bookseller Gui Minhai seven months after his arrest
Gui was snatched in January while travelling on a train to Beijing with two Swedish diplomats
China has allowed a Swedish doctor to examine publisher Gui Minhai, a Chinese-born Swede who vanished into Chinese custody in January in murky circumstances for a second time, Sweden said on Monday.
“Swedish medical personnel have on Monday, August 13, been able to carry out a visit with detained Swedish citizen Gui Minhai. This is welcome,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said in a statement.
Gui was one of five Hong Kong-based booksellers – known for publishing gossipy titles about Chinese political leaders – who disappeared in 2015 and resurfaced in mainland China.
He was released in October, but arrested on a train to Beijing in January while travelling with two Swedish diplomats. He was reportedly en route to see a Swedish specialist over fears he had the neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Wallstrom, who provided no details about Gui’s condition or Monday’s medical visit, reiterated Sweden’s call for him to be freed, saying “Gui Minhai must be released and be allowed to reunite with his family.”
