Friends of the prominent blogger detained in China are demanding to know why Australian diplomats failed to tell him a prominent human rights lawyer had been appointed to take his case.
Friends in contact with Mr Yang's family said the Australian consular official said she was not permitted by Chinese authorities handling the case to ask Mr Yang exactly what charges he is facing.
Now, according to a letter written by Mr Yang from detention and obtained by the ABC, he appointed an Australian lawyer from a list provided by the Australian consular official during the first visit in late January. A lawyer from Mr Mo's office, Zhang Dongshuo, told the ABC the firm is usually on lists of law firms provided by both the US and Canadian embassies to their detained nationals in China.
"Australia remains concerned that Mr Yang has not had access to legal representation during his detention, as we would for any Australian who is detained for lengthy periods of time overseas," the statement said.According to Mr Yang's letter, he has appointed Sydney-based Australian lawyer Lin Tang.
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