When in May 2016, Peng Jiyue, a Chinese lawyer employed by the Chinese part of the international law firm Dentons Dacheng, undertook to represent the family of Lei Yang, a young environmental activist who had died under suspicious circumstances in police custody, it was an act of kindness, partly motivated by friendship with the family. They had not formally appointed him in writing, but he accompanied them to view the bruised body and called for an independent autopsy on their behalf...
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