Chinese dissident arrested on secret charges

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BEIJING, July 19 (AFP): Chinese dissident Huang Qi, who campaigns for the parents of children killed in the Sichuan earthquake, has been arrested for "illegal possession of state secrets," his wife said today.

Qi was detained in the Sichuan capital Chengdu on June 10 and has not been seen since.

"Yesterday afternoon, his mother went to the police station in Wuhou district (of Chengdu) and was given the arrest warrant," his wife Zeng Li told AFP by telephone from the city in southwest China.

"His mother told them that since they had issued the arrest warrant, they should allow his lawyer to see Huang. But the police said that was not possible, that it would be another two months before the lawyer could ask to see him," she said.

Huang's lawyer, Mo Shaoping, however said the ruling was against the law and that he had the right to see his client, Zeng said.