Beijing: Chinese authorities have detained respected Korean-American Christian aid worker Peter Hahn on suspicion of embezzlement, amid a wider crackdown on aid groups along the North Korean border.

The 73-year-old naturalised US citizen, who has overseen a range of aid projects straddling the border between China and North Korea over the past two decades, was called in by authorities in Tumen, China for questioning on Tuesday and placed under detention after a six-hour interrogation. Two other staff members, including a South Korean national, have also been detained in recent weeks.

Caught in crackdown: Peter Hahn, 73, an American born in North Korea, has built a network of aid projects along the China-North Korea border.

While yet to be formally charged, his lawyer Zhang Peihong said Mr Hahn had been informed he was being held on suspicion of embezzlement and using fraudulent invoices. Both serious allegations, Mr Zhang said, were "groundless" and "impossible to stand up".

Supporters of Mr Hahn point out that he had used his life savings to help relocate from the United States and set up his NGOs, and say the allegations against him were likely politically motivated.