Zhang Miao was detained nine months ago after covering the Hong Kong democracy protests for Die Zeit newspaper

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A Chinese journalist will be freed without charge following nine months in detention after she helped cover the Hong Kong democracy protests for a German publication, her lawyer has said.



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Prosecutors in Beijing decided not to bring charges against Zhang Miao, who was a news assistant for Die Zeit, said lawyer Zhou Shifeng.

Zhou said Zhang was scheduled to be released on Thursday night after being detained in October on a disturbance charge.

Her detention highlights the precarious situation for Chinese nationals working for foreign media, as they often become targets of police harassment and intimidation.

Angela Köckritz, the Beijing correspondent for Die Zeit, left China after she also felt pressure from authorities following Zhang’s detention.

Zhou said he had argued to prosecutors that the evidence against his client was obtained through coercion and torture and should be considered illegal. “We had expected her release because we believed the evidence was invalid and could not be used,” he said.

Köckritz and Die Zeit could not be immediately reached for comment.