China Detains Czech Citizen on Espionage Suspicion

Relations between China and the Czech Republic have been complicated by the detention in China of a Czech citizen who is under investigation by Chinese authorities on suspicion of threatening national security. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the man has been in custody since the end of June and that diplomats are in consular contact with him.

According to Czech media, he is a businessman operating in China who was detained by security forces at the airport and may face espionage charges.

There has been speculation that the case is linked to the Prague trial of Chinese national Yang Yiming, who is accused of working for Chinese intelligence services.

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, however, denied any connection. Beijing, meanwhile, called on Prague to immediately release its citizen and described the charges against him as fabricated.

(Reuters, mja)