Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The well-known human rights lawyer Teng Biao, who had "disappeared" for over two months, returned home yesterday. But also yesterday evening in Beijing the lawyer Li Fangping (pictured), well known human rights defender, was kidnapped, confirming that the widespread persecution of democratic activists continues unabated.

Wang Ling, Teng's wife said yesterday said he is "doing well" but that it "is not appropriate to say more." The lawyer was detained for 70 days without formal charges and his family left without any news of his whereabouts.

At the news of his release, many have expressed the hope that there would be an easing of the persecution taking place, perhaps as a result of two days of talks between China and the United States on human rights held in Beijing this week.

But Human Rigths Watch has also reported the abduction of Li in Beijing, by an "unknown" group, just outside the office of the Yirenping Centre, an NGO that defends the right of people to health care. Li phoned his wife and told her: "I could be away for a period of time. I can not say more. "

Teng and Li are Christians and known defenders of human rights activists, both members of the China Christian Association for the Defense of Rights. Li defended well-known dissidents like Hu Jia, Zhao Lianhai and Chen Guangcheng. In 2006 he was attacked and severely beaten by unknown assailants shortly after having visited Chen in jail.

Phelim Kine of Human Rights Watch said that the kidnapping on "the same day of Teng’s release," suggests that the security forces are implementing a very carefully planned attack against well-known human rights defenders, in a calculated effort tto suppress the movement of rights in China. "

Renee Xia of the Chinese Human Rights Defenders has for some time denounced that "torture to coerce them into silence" is being used against activists.

Since mid-February, the authorities have unleashed the worst crackdown since 1998 against rights activists and dissidents, also for fear of protests along the lines of the Jasmine revolution. The persecution also affects the Christian groups, because many of these activists are practicing Christians.