🚔 Fights, theft, forgery · Awareness case
Illegal Detention and Arbitrary Arrest of Foreigners in China · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: قانون الإجراءات الجنائية / Criminal Procedure Law (2018) Art. 79-84
The Criminal Procedure Law sets strict conditions for detention and arrest; any detention outside these conditions is illegal and warrants compensation.
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
Under the Criminal Procedure Law (2018), Articles 79-84: Criminal detention is conditional on: (1) an arrest warrant or search warrant issued by the public prosecutor; (2) suspicion of committing a crime punishable by imprisonment; (3) notification of family or consulate within 24 hours. Administrative detention (under Administrative Penalties Law): does not exceed 15 days. Compensation for illegal detention: a state compensation claim is submitted under the State Compensation Law (1994). Amount: calculated at 2-3 times the daily minimum wage. Foreigners have the right to engage a lawyer from the approved list in China.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
In any detention situation, the first thing you request is a call to your country's embassy. Do not sign any document without a lawyer and an interpreter.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026