Detained Rights Lawyer Allowed Video Chat With Wife

The wife of jailed mainland human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng has been allowed to see him for the first time since his arrest in 2018 – via videochat.

Yu was arrested after he circulated a letter calling for reforms to the constitution, and was subsequently jailed for four years for "inciting subversion".

His wife, Xu Yan, said her husband appeared to be in poor physical condition, and his right arm kept trembling throughout the chat, purportedly due to an injury he had sustained in prison.

He also had three teeth removed, she said.

"His head was shaved. He had to be handcuffed and sat on an interrogation chair during video-conferencing. I felt really sad seeing this," Xu said.

She said Yu wanted to thank supporters for their concern and help. Xu also said he wanted to be transferred to a Beijing prison from Suzhou.

She added she will ask the authorities to allow her to visit him in person, saying she hopes they will allow this on humanitarian grounds.