Beijing (AFP)
The employee of the British Consulate in Hong Kong, who disappeared in mainland China in early August, was arrested for "soliciting prostitutes", according to the Chinese press, an accusation rejected Friday by the family of the young man.
Quoting the police in Shenzhen, the metropolis on the outskirts of Hong Kong, the daily Global Times says that the employee, named Simon Cheng, was arrested for visiting prostitutes.
Shenzhen police did not respond to AFP's confirmation requests.
But the 28-year-old man's family rejected news from the English-language daily on his Facebook page, denouncing a "fabricated" accusation. "Everyone must realize that this is a joke," she said.
The Chinese government announced Wednesday that the consular employee was being held in custody for 15 days for violating a public security law, but without specifying what was being blamed.
Simon Cheng's family said he went to Shenzhen on August 8 for a business meeting. She says that she lost touch with him while he was on his way home and was preparing to pass the customs checks to return to Hong Kong.
Relations between Beijing and London have been tense since the protests began two months ago in the former British colony, returned to China in 1997 after an agreement giving it a semi-autonomy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday that the young man was not British but Hong Kong, "Chinese." "It is therefore entirely a Chinese domestic affair," said the spokesman.
According to the Global Times, Simon Cheng faces a 15-day prison sentence and a fine of 5,000 yuan (640 euros) for the charges against him.
The newspaper, known for its nationalist rhetoric, claims that the police did not contact Simon Cheng's family after his arrest, at his request. "Thanks to the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the media, which have mounted this case, his case is now known to all," the newspaper quips.
London said Thursday is seeking "urgently" information about the fate of its employee.
© 2019 AFP