Hot on Facebook

Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

China Detains Americans Protesting Over Tibet

AP photographers also roughed up

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 22, 2008 8:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – Six Americans protesting China's rule over Tibet have been given 10-day detentions, in a rare instance of such punishments being meted out to visitors, the New York Times reports. Such extrajudicial detentions are common for Chinese dissidents, but foreigners at the Olympics have until now been quietly and instantly deported. Another four foreigners were apprehended yesterday, including two Americans, a German, and a Briton, during a large protest with Chinese dissidents.

Two AP photographers were also roughed up and taken into custody in that incident, but they were released after their memory cards were confiscated. Chinese authorities did not release names of the dissidents—other than naming one as “Thomas,” and the US embassy says it is attempting to contact Chinese authorities to verify the reports. The detentions may be China’s attempt to deter more protests in the Olympics final days.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Plainclothes security officers detain Associated Press photographer Ng Han Guan, center, after pro-Tibet activists protested opposite the National Stadium, Thursday July 21, 2008 in Beijing. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

Students for a Free Tibet activists lay down in Tiananmen Square, Aug. 9, 2008. Other students from the group are currently being detained in China. (AP Photo)

Two human rights protesters show the Tibet flag on the spectators' stand during the first day of the Beijing Olympics Equestrian games, Aug. 9, 2008. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

For the Chinese authorities to sentence them at all shows the government's paranoia and intolerance of even the most peaceful challenges to its control. - Lhadon Tethong, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Chinese VP Arrives in Washington

Xi Jinping, China's next president, to meet with Obama

(NEWSER) - The man slated to be China's next president began his US tour today, meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office before having lunch with Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. Biden will serve as Xi Jinping's host in Washington, the New York Times reports. Other stops on the agenda: a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, and a high-level trip to the Pentagon, where he'll get an honor guard salute and meet with Leon Panetta and the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey. More»

Ram, Doe to Marry in China

Zoologists caution against over-analyzing the interspecies bond

(NEWSER) - A ram and a deer living in a southwestern Chinese zoo who have formed an "unconventional relationship" are set to be "married" on Valentine's Day, reports the BBC . The zoo tried to separate the animals in November, but found that the ram acted violently toward other sheep—and the doe broke through a fence to get close to him. So zookeepers reunited the animals, and will hold the "wedding" tomorrow. The zoo plans to issue 500 tickets costing about $10 each to those who wish to attend—though officials caution people from reading too much into their relationship. "Leaving them alone is the best choice," said one zoo researcher. More»

Tibet Nun, 18, Sets Self Ablaze

Free Tibet says teen died from injuries as tension escalates

(AP) - An 18-year-old Tibetan nun has set herself on fire in western China in the latest such protest against Beijing's handling of the vast ethnic Tibetan regions it rules, an overseas activist group said today. Free Tibet said in a statement that the nun had died after setting herself ablaze yesterday. The young woman, identified as Tenzin Choedon, was a nun at the Mamae Nunnery in Sichuan province's Aba prefecture. More»

Meet Chun Chun, China's Biggest Baby?

He weighed 15.5 pounds at birth

(NEWSER) - Chun Chun is less than a week old, but it looks like he's already a record-holder in China. He weighed 15.5 pounds at birth, with local media in central Henan province speculating that he's the biggest newborn in the nation's history, reports the Times of India . He and mom are doing well after the C-section. Even if Chun Chun officially takes the honor in China, he falls short of the Guinness record: A woman in Ohio gave birth to a 23.7-pound boy in 1879. Click for more , including video of the baby. More»

Famed China Police Chief May Be Seeking US Asylum

Wang Lijun has dropped from sight amid rumors

(AP) - The former top cop of a major Chinese city has dropped from sight amid unconfirmed reports he is seeking US asylum following a quarrel with one of China's most powerful local politicians. Wang Lijun, a crusading lawman who made his name busting crime gangs and inspired a drama on state TV (called Iron-Blooded Police Spirits), has taken leave to recover from anxiety and overwork, the city government of Chongqing said in a statement today. But many aren't buying the official line. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

China Detains Americans Protesting Over Tibet