Mysterious mail – tennis world worried about missing Peng Shuai
One of the best players in her country: Peng Shuai
Quelle: picture alliance / abaca
Tennis star Peng Shuai has not been seen since allegations of sexual assault by a top politician in China. A statement on their behalf circulated by state media only adds to concerns.
EAn alleged email from the Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, who was thought to have disappeared, aroused considerable doubts at the WTA player organization and increased concerns about the 35-year-old. China’s state foreign television station CGTN published an email on Thursday night on Twitter that the tennis star himself wrote and is said to have sent to WTA boss Steve Simon. The reports about her, “including allegations of sexual assault,” were “not true,” it said. She is fine.
“I find it hard to believe that Peng Shuai actually wrote this email that we received,” responded WTA boss Steve Simon. The WTA and the rest of the world needed “independent and verifiable evidence” that the player was safe.
The publication by Chinese state media heightened his concerns about their safety and whereabouts. “Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation of any origin.”
“Hope it will be found soon”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not want to comment on Peng Shuai’s whereabouts. “This is not a diplomatic question,” said spokesman Zhao Lijian in front of the press on Thursday. “I am not aware of the situation mentioned.” On the previous days, the spokesman had already indicated that the questions should be addressed to the “responsible authorities”.
Previously, prominent tennis players such as Naomi Osaka, Chris Evert or Novak Djokovic had expressed their concern about their colleague. On Thursday, German number one Alexander Zverev also expressed concern at the ATP season finale in Turin. “I hope it will be found soon,” said the 24-year-old from Hamburg. We’re not talking about a tennis match or an event here. “We’re talking about a human life, and that’s much more blatant than anything we’re doing here.”
WTA-Chef Steve Simon
What: AP
Peng Shuai published allegations of sexual assault by a top Chinese politician on the Weibo social network earlier this month. The entry, which was deleted shortly afterwards, stated that she had had an intermittent relationship with the married former Vice Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, 75, for a period of ten years.
The article speaks of love and affection, but also of unwanted sexual assault – without any evidence being presented. The authenticity of the posting could not be verified.
Rest at home?
Since then, Peng Shuai has not been seen in public. China’s censorship is also canceling any debate on the case. Searches for your name or #MeToo on the Chinese Internet are blocked.
In the letter that the state broadcaster has now published, however, it says: “I am not missing.” She is also safe. “I only recovered a little at home, and everything is fine.” However, the screenshot of the message also aroused suspicion on the part of observers because the cursor was in the text.
China Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said: “The Chinese government has a long history of indiscriminately detaining people in controversial cases, controlling their freedom of expression, and getting them to make coercive statements.”
CHRD’s William Nee pointed out the allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power: “These allegations should not be censored, but rather trigger an impartial and fair investigation.”
.
