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Sweden recalls China envoy over 'deal' on detained bookseller
Source: BBC
Sweden recalls China envoy over 'deal' on detained bookseller
14 February 2019
Sweden has recalled its ambassador to China over her involvement in a bizarre meeting involving the daughter of a detained Swedish-Chinese bookseller.
The ambassador, Anna Lindstedt, left Beijing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Swedish foreign ministry said.
The incident began with an account of a meeting written by Angela Gui, whose father Gui Minhai, 54, was allegedly abducted by Chinese agents in 2015.
-snip-
According to Ms Gui, Ms Lindstedt contacted her to say there was "a new approach" to her father's case. "She didn't explain very much, but said that there were some businessmen she thought could help, and that they wanted to meet me in Stockholm," Ms Gui wrote.
-snip-
She said one of the businessmen pressured her to accept a deal where her father would go to trial and might be sentenced to "a few years" in prison, and in return she would stop all publicity around her father's detention.
According to Ms Gui's account, Ms Lindstedt was supportive of the arrangement, telling her that China was "adopting a new diplomatic line" and that, if her publicity continued, China might "punish Sweden".
-snip-
14 February 2019
Sweden has recalled its ambassador to China over her involvement in a bizarre meeting involving the daughter of a detained Swedish-Chinese bookseller.
The ambassador, Anna Lindstedt, left Beijing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Swedish foreign ministry said.
The incident began with an account of a meeting written by Angela Gui, whose father Gui Minhai, 54, was allegedly abducted by Chinese agents in 2015.
-snip-
According to Ms Gui, Ms Lindstedt contacted her to say there was "a new approach" to her father's case. "She didn't explain very much, but said that there were some businessmen she thought could help, and that they wanted to meet me in Stockholm," Ms Gui wrote.
-snip-
She said one of the businessmen pressured her to accept a deal where her father would go to trial and might be sentenced to "a few years" in prison, and in return she would stop all publicity around her father's detention.
According to Ms Gui's account, Ms Lindstedt was supportive of the arrangement, telling her that China was "adopting a new diplomatic line" and that, if her publicity continued, China might "punish Sweden".
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47238430
