Wan Yanhai, reported as "missing" recently by some overseas media, was taken into custody because he was suspected of illegally leaking state secrets overseas, an official with the State Information Office was quoted as saying by China News Service yesterday afternoon.

The official revealed that Wan had delivered illegally acquired interior classified documents of relevant state departments to overseas individuals, media sources and Websites on August 17.

Wan was detained by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security on August 25 on suspicion of illegally providing foreign sources with state secrets.

After being investigated, Wan confessed to his unlawful activities, pleaded guilty and assisted the police in tracing providers of the illegal secrets, said the official.

In view of Wan's attitude in confessing to his crimes and voluntarily giving an account of his wrongdoings, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security, admonished him and released him yesterday after he wrote a statement of repentance, as he deserved leniency in accordance with law.

Moreover, the official said, the detention of Wan by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security is in compliance with the legal procedure and the demand on the time limit (a maximum of 30 days) as prescribed by Criminal Procedural Law.

According to the relevant stipulations of the law, news of the detention can be withheld from the family members temporarily for the sake of the investigation or at the request of the detainee.

(eastday.com September 21, 2002)