Chinese authorities release human rights lawyer after two days in custody

Christian human rights lawyer Zhang Kai was able to return to his home in China's northern Inner Mongolia last Thursday after he was detained by the police for two days.

Zhang, a lawyer who provided legal assistance to over 100 churches that were affected by the cross removal campaign in China, was summoned to the local police station on Dec. 27, China Aid reported.

His sister, Zhang Yan, said that he often receives summons since he is currently out on bail. The family became concerned after he failed to return home.

The news about his disappearance spread online after his mother posted a message to the online community to draw attention to her son's case.

Yan said that his brother has been keeping a low profile to avoid causing trouble. She said that officials from the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau wanted to talk to her, but she refused.

Zhang, who is originally from Beijing, was arrested along with his two legal assistants in August 2015 after he moved to Zhejiang to represent the churches that are being forced to remove the crosses from their buildings.

He was held in an unofficial "black jail" for six months and only resurfaced on February 2016 to make a forced confession on state television. He was subsequently charged with "endangering state secrets" and "gathering a crowd to disturb public order." He was released on bail on March 23, 2016.

Zhang was reportedly detained again a few months after his release when he retracted the forced statements.

"After he made that statement [retracting the criticisms], state security police officers from Wenzhou city [in the eastern province of Zhejiang] traveled to Inner Mongolia to find him. They went straight to his home," said his lawyer Tan Chenshou.

Tan said that one of the conditions of Zhang's release is to avoid speaking to the media.

Last November, Zhang wrote a letter to thank the people who offered prayers and support while he was in prison.

"Thanks to those comforted and cared for my parents when I was in trouble last year. On this special day, I thank the friends, lawyers and the strangers who appealed for me and supported me. Thanks to all the Christians at home and overseas, who are praying for me all of the time," Zhang wrote.