China Detains Rights Lawyer Ahead of Tiananmen Anniversary

Chinese police have detained a prominent rights lawyer in a continuing campaign against dissidents ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen military crackdown on June 4.

The wife of Tang Jingling said Friday that police took her husband away from their home in the southern city of Guangzhou, saying he was suspected of "causing a disturbance."

Tang has represented uncompensated victims of land grabs and imprisoned rights defenders.

Police have detained several other prominent activists in recent months.

Each year, Beijing detains activists or puts them under house arrest ahead of the June 4 anniversary in an apparent attempt to prevent commemorations of the bloody crackdown.