China detains legal activist on suspicion of subversion

Pro-democracy demonstrators hold up portraits of Chinese disbarred lawyer Jiang Tianyong, demanding his release, during a demonstration outside the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong, China December 23, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese authorities have confirmed prominent legal activist Jiang Tianyong has been detained on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power, his lawyer said on Friday, setting the stage for possible formal charges.

Disbarred lawyer Jiang, 45, has spoken out about a government crackdown on legal defenders and has been involved in high-profile cases of dissidents who have angered authorities, including blind activist Chen Guangcheng, who left China after he fled to the U.S. embassy in 2012.