Defense Attorney Seeks Meeting with Gao

China Aid Association
Defense Attorney Seeks Meeting with Gao
Gao’s detention exceeds the legal maximum, yet police still hold him
By Gao Ling
Epoch Times China Staff
Sep 22, 2006

Gao Zhisheng went on a hunger strike in his home town in northern Shaanxi Province. April 1, 2006 (Ma Wendu)
As of September 20, it has been 37 days since renowned Chinese human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng was detained under criminal investigation. According to law in China, the detention should not exceed 37 days. After this period of time the police must either release the litigant or issue an official arrest warrant and proceed to the next level. But Beijing police have not yet made any such move.
September 19, Beijing Attorney Mo Shaoping obtained the Power of Attorney from Gao’s family and began acting on Gao’s behave as his attorney.
Mo and his assistant went to the Beijing Police Station and the Beijing No.2 Detention Center, to enquire as to the whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng and requested to meet with the plaintiff. They also submitted their attorney’s certificates and related legal documents. According to Chinese law, authorities must respond within 48 hours.
Mo was told the result of his application will be known in the next 30 hours or so.
On the morning of September 20, an Epoch Times reporter called the Beijing Chaoyang District Police Station Legal Section to inquire about Mo Shaoping’s application. He was told by a policeman, “We can only give that information to family members.”
Attorney Gao Zhisheng was detained August 15 on the charge of “suspicion of criminal activity.” In the 37 days of Gao’s dentention, Gao’s wife, Geng He and their two children have all been under strict surveillance by Beijing police. They are not allowed to make contact with anyone. No one, including Gao’s relatives, have been able to learn any information concerning Gao’s location, documents authorizing detention, or his wife’s situation.
During this period, the authorities even tried to prevent Gao’s family from sending the documents for the power of attorney to the defense attorney. Two of Gao’s nephews were imprisoned for 16 days because of their involvement in the process.
Whether or not attorney Mo will be able to meet with Gao or even be told where Gao is being held is still up in the air, despite being the correct legal procedure.
http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-9-22/46247.html.