New case against researcher

Prosecutors have begun a fresh investigation into the case of the New York Times researcher that remains in detention though a charge of leaking state secrets against him was dropped in March. Zhao Yan, who was detained in 2004, could face further charges, his defense lawyer Mo Shaoping said. The latest probe was launched on March 20 – three days after a court in Beijing dismissed the original charges – though Mo was only informed on Monday after repeated calls for Zhao to be released.