Grieving MH370 families say they’re now victims of police violence

Six months after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 went missing, relatives of those lost say Chinese authorities have become openly hostile toward them. Several relatives described how they had been detained and physically abused by police - seemingly in retaliation for publicly pressing Chinese and Malaysia Airlines authorities for information about the hunt for the plane. Police have beaten at least two people whose children were on the flight, family members said. In one case, a woman in her fifties was hospitalized for three days. Public security authorities have not commented on the families but Malaysia Airlines representatives said distraught relatives have sometimes been aggressive.

In the beginning, Beijing police were protecting us, but their attitude has completely changed. I can’t fathom why they’re doing this. I feel so incredibly disappointed.

38-year-old Cheng Liping, whose husband was on the flight

Some relatives said they believed their homes were being watched. Police have detained people several times at an office the government has set up in a nondescript Beijing suburb where families can go to seek information about the search from Malaysia Airlines and government representatives. Detentions usually last for about 24 hours, said the families and their lawyer. Police have cited various reasons for the detentions, family members said, including a rule against large gatherings. In a couple of cases, children were taken into custody with adult relatives. In at least two other cases, recounted to Reuters by relatives, Beijing police went to family members’ homes before dawn to detain them without a reason.

On some level I can understand why the police are doing this - perhaps they’re used to only dealing with bad people. But we’re not seeking to antagonize the government in any way.

Liu Wanyi, 26, a newlywed whose husband was on the plane

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