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Monday, September 27, 2010

Looks like China has a Patriot Act

Terror suspects?

Beijing firm investigated for running 'black jail'

(AP) – 15 hours ago

BEIJING — Police are investigating a Beijing security company linked to the unauthorized but lucrative practice of holding citizens in so-called 'black jails,' or illegal detention centers, according to state media.

The official China Daily reported Monday that police have detained Zhang Jun, the chairman of Beijing-based Anyuanding Security and Prevention Technical Support Service, and his general manager Zhang Jie for 'illegal detention and unlawful operation.' It did not say when the two men were taken into custody.

The company was profiled in a hard-hitting expose this month by the Chinese financial magazine Caijing, which described the practice of illegally locking up citizens to prevent them from filing formal complaints with the central government. The magazine said the company reportedly earned 21 million yuan ($3.1 million) in revenue in 2008.

Anyuanding agents dressed in police-like uniforms would grab petitioners off the streets of Beijing and other cities and forcibly hold them in hotels or rented houses, often physically mistreating them as well, the magazine said.

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