Germany 'deeply concerned' over China probe into Puma Shen: Envoy

Taipei, Nov. 20 (CNA) Germany is "deeply concerned" over a Chinese criminal probe into Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Puma Shen (沈伯洋), Germany's top envoy to Taiwan said Thursday.

"Germany is deeply concerned about the use of criminal law against people who express different political opinions -- [including] in cross-strait relations," Karsten Tietz, director-general of the German Institute Taipei, told CNA.

"People in Taiwan must have the right to speak up to preserve their freedom, democracy, and rule of law," Tietz added.

Tietz's comments came after Shen traveled to Berlin last week to speak at a parliamentary hearing on "Disinformation by Autocratic States Aiming to Undermine Democracy and Threaten Human Rights."

The trip drew attention in Taiwan after a Chinese legal expert suggested that Shen could be pursued through Interpol. In late October, the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau listed Shen as "wanted" for alleged "criminal activities of secession."