CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-384886
Lu Siwei
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Lawyer
Role
Human Rights Defender
Record ID
CNHRA-P-384886
Biography
Lu Siwei practiced law in Chengdu, Sichuan, representing people in cases involving expression, disappearance, detention and demolition. He also provided legal advice for Hong Kong activists detained and tried in mainland China after attempting to reach Taiwan.[1]
Front Line Defenders records the revocation of Lu’s license in January 2021 and a national-security-related exit ban in May. His wife and child were in the United States, and he subsequently tried to travel there through Laos and Thailand.[1]
His family retained counsel to seek information after he was returned from Laos. Front Line Defenders reports that when a family-appointed lawyer sought a Chengdu detention-center visit in October 2023, access was denied on the grounds that two appointed lawyers already represented him.[1]
Case Summary
Lu was detained at Thanaleng railway station in Laos on July 28, 2023 while preparing to travel to Thailand. He was deported to China in late September, held in Chengdu and subsequently released on bail pending investigation, as his wife reported on October 28.[1]
Chengdu police took Lu from his home again on October 10, 2024, and relatives received an arrest notice alleging illegal border crossing. Front Line Defenders reports that Chenghua District Court later imposed eleven months’ imprisonment and a 10,000-yuan fine; he was released on August 5, 2025.[1]
In its release update, Front Line Defenders reports that Lu remained under close surveillance and an exit ban. It also reports that suspension of his medical insurance during imprisonment affected access to treatment and costs afterward.[1]
Timeline
2021-01
Law license revoked
Lu’s law license was revoked, followed by an exit ban in May. His earlier work included human rights cases and legal assistance for Hong Kong people detained on the mainland.[1]
2023-07-28
Detained in Laos en route to Thailand
Lao authorities detained Lu as he prepared to take a train from Thanaleng to Thailand and then travel to his wife and child in the United States. He was transferred to an immigration facility on July 31.[1]
2023-09
Deported to China
Front Line Defenders records his deportation from Laos in late September and detention in Chengdu on an illegal-border-crossing allegation. A family-appointed lawyer subsequently sought access and was refused.[1]
2023-10-28
Wife reports bail release
Lu’s wife Zhang Chunxiao reported online that he had been released on bail pending investigation in Chengdu. FLD’s later account states that the bail period was due to expire in October 2024.[1]
2024-10-10
Arrested again
Chengdu police took Lu from home, and his family later received an arrest notice alleging illegal border crossing. Chenghua District Court subsequently imposed eleven months and a 10,000-yuan fine.[1]
2025-08-05
Released with continuing exit restrictions
Lu left Chengdu’s detention center. FLD’s release update reports continuing surveillance and an exit ban, alongside treatment and cost difficulties arising from suspended medical insurance.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-530912Front Line Defenders
Evidence location: Legal work; 2021 license and exit ban; Laos detention, deportation and bail in 2023; 2024 rearrest and August 5, 2025 release.