Chinese scholar Zhang Xuezhong returns home after questioning over call for political reform
- Friends say Zhang, who was removed by police on Sunday night, was released late on Monday
- Open letter criticising government handling of coronavirus outbreak has been taken down from Chinese social media
Zhang Xuezhong, the constitutional scholar who was taken away on Sunday after posting an open letter calling for political reform in China, has been allowed to return home after questioning by the authorities, friends close to the scholar said.
The 43-year-old scholar returned to his Shanghai home late on Monday night, said Wen Kejian, an independent political analyst and a close friend of Zhang.
“His physical condition seems all right,” Wen said.
Another of Zhang’s friends, who requested anonymity, also confirmed the scholar’s return. “He was taken away for about 24 hours,” the friend said.
Zhang did not respond to text messages on Tuesday morning and Wen said the scholar was resting at home. However, he posted a message on WeChat, China’s leading social media platform, late on Monday thanking friends for their support.
“I saw so many friends expressing concern for my current situation. Thank you very much. I am now at home and all is well. Good night everyone. I need to get some sleep first, apologies for not being able to reply to your messages,” Zhang wrote.