Earlier today, a man set off an explosive device outside of the U.S. embassy in Beijing, injuring himself and causing minor damage to cars and such in the street:
Latest on Beijing explosion: "There was one individual who detonated a bomb. Other than the bomber, there were no injuries. Local police responded," per U.S. embassy spokesperson.
— Emily Rauhala (@emilyrauhala) July 26, 2018
Now, notice the guy in the green shirt investigating the aftermath?
Eyewitnesses say online an explosion has taken place outside the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. https://t.co/WdHOgNfISf
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 26, 2018
Here he is again:
Blast reported in Beijing near US embassy https://t.co/qVV73HFUaT
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 26, 2018
Mr. Green Shirt was later seen by AFP reporter Becky Davis abducting this “bystander” for the crime of sharing video and photos with journalists at the scene:
Have a taste of Chinese rule of law at Beijing US embassy explosion site! Scene 1: A bystander (woman w flower print shirt @ far right) kindly decided to share images and video – apparently passed to her by a friend – w a scrum of journalists via WeChat pic.twitter.com/EnfBkuMcoy
— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
The internet enables journalism/sharing! Er, sort of. Images of the bloodied ground (aftermath) come through on WeChat but not her video material despite multiple tries – already a bit fishy pic.twitter.com/9veBxy98ih
— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Now, here comes the abduction. See Mr. Green Shirt?
I turn my back for sec and next thing I know the poor woman has been dragged across the street away from the journos by plainclothes men o.O pic.twitter.com/F2aRaVFk6b
— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Green Shirt then claimed that the bystander was his sister and he was taking her home to dad:
Scene 2: I chase them.
“Take her into the hotel,” green shirt guy says.
“Why do you have to take this woman away?” I ask. No answer
“Get out of here quick. Dad’s waiting for you at home,” green shirt guy says, forcibly grabbing her pic.twitter.com/mOjGHFuF7Q— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Narrator voice: She was not his sister:
Scene 3: The abduction.
“Why? What has she done wrong?” I ask.
“This is a family matter!” says green shirt.
It gets loud but I basically stuck my head in the car so could hear her loud and clear: “I do not know that man. I didn’t do anything! I was just a bystander!” pic.twitter.com/1974flP64s— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Police then threatened Davis’ visa for asking questions:
Scene 4: The verdict
I love this. Sorry it’s upside down.
“Can I ask if that woman did anything wrong? Do u know what happened to her?” I ask.
“I’m sorry, I’m enforcing the law,” says cop, scuttling away like an awkward teen at a school dance (LOL)
Ohhh that’s what you’re doing pic.twitter.com/PQpaQVG09i— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Cop 2 also doesn’t know why she was taken.
Cop 3: “It’s not convenient now for us to do interviews. We don’t know. Please leave – there are too many people here.”— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Later as I was leaving, ran into Cop 1. “What media do you work for? Where are you from?” he asked, increasingly aggressive. When I wouldn’t say he said: “I have control over your visa!” China’s go-to in the field these days: threatening expulsion for critical coverage
— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Davis also reports that the “relative” trick is nothing new when Chinese cops deal with the pesky free press:
Having a plainclothes pose as a relative seems common. Saw this scene near Houhai in May en route to a friend’s bday. Man helping shuttle her into van told me he was her bf. Bystanders said she’d talked back at cops for chasing away a busker, & asked them to let him keep singing. pic.twitter.com/NWPuJk7xKH
— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
Davis confirmed via Twitter that it’s the same guy:
Yes!! Clearly her long-lost brother
— Becky Davis (@rebeccaludavis) July 26, 2018
***
Join the Conversation
VIP members get the ability to comment on articles.