China police snatch outspoken scholar

Ilham Tohti pauses by a classroom window before a lecture in Beijing on June 12, 2010.

• Police detain a Beijing-based scholar known for his criticism of China’s policies in Xinjiang


• 30 officers raided his home and seized computers, bank cards and his passport, wife says


• State Department says Ilham Tohti was taken into custody with at least 6 students


• His arrest “part of disturbing pattern,” spokesperson says

(CNN) — Police have taken into custody a Beijing-based scholar known for his criticism of China’s policies in the restive western region of Xinjiang, his wife told CNN Friday.

Ilham Tohti, a prominent economics professor belonging to the Uyghur ethnic group, was taken by police on Wednesday afternoon, Guzaili Nuer said, adding that she has not heard from police since and has no idea where her husband is.

In a six-hour operation, around 30 policemen raided their home seizing computers, cellphones, a hard disk, bank cards and Tohti’s passport, she said.

Police did not respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. State Department said Tohti, who has been outspoken in support of human rights for China’s ethnic Uyghur citizens, had been taken into custody along with at least six of his students.

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