Edward Lawrence, a British journalist, was arrested while covering demonstrations against the regime’s health policy in Shanghai, the BBC denounced on Twitter this Sunday night, which had accredited him to follow this event.
Unprecedented protest movements are currently taking place in China to protest against the “zero Covid” policy restrictions imposed by the government. Protesters no longer hesitate to demand the departure of the country’s all-powerful leader Xi Jinping, according to videos posted online and authenticated by the media.
Several videos of the arrest of Edward Lawrence circulated on social networks this Sunday. We see the journalist handcuffed and escorted by three police officers. A man follows them and asks the Brit in English if he is okay. The latter responds by asking to call the consulate immediately.
“Stopped for several hours”
In his press release published shortly before midnightthe BBC says it is concerned about the “treatment of one of [ses] journalists, Edward Lawrence, who was arrested and handcuffed while covering the protests in Shanghai.”
“He was held for several hours before being released. During his arrest, the police beat and kicked him,” denounces the BBC.
“Nous n’avons eu no explanation ou excuse officielle”, continued the BBC, which indicated toutefois that the Chinese authorities assured avoir arrêté Edward Lawrence “por son propre bien, au cas où il attraperait le Covid-19” in étant au contact de the crowd.
“We do not consider this to be a credible explanation,” the channel added.
Source: BFM TV
