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China protests the arrest of 13 CGTN employees in Nairobi


China has voiced concerns over reported harassment of its citizens living and working in Kenya by the police during an incident in which 13 employees of China Global Television Network (CGTN) Africa headquarters in Nairobi were arrested.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi suggested that a number of its nationals have recently been harassed by the police.

“The Embassy deems that the Chinese nationals who hold legal residence and working permits should not be detained,” the statement read in part.

This statement was prompted by an incident on Wednesday in which plainclothes police officers stormed CGTN offices and studios in Nairobi and rounded up foreign staff.

ARRESTED AND RELEASED

The company later announced that police had arrested 13 employees.

“This noon, the Chinese Embassy received help call from 13 Chinese nationals. They stated that they were detained by Kenyan police even though they held legal documents. The consular offices of the Chinese Embassy then went to the police station to know about the situation,” the statement read.

“13 Chinese nationals, after being verified the documents were proven to be legal residents and were released immediately. The Chinese Embassy are expressing its concern to Kenyan side through diplomatic channel,” the statement went on.

Meanwhile, the public has taken issue with the manner in which the police conducted operations at the media house, with video footage showing the security detail parading automatic rifles and harassing staff.