20 September 2002.

BEIJING, Sept. 20 China's most prominent advocate for AIDS patients, Dr.Wan Yanhai, was unexpectedly released today after nearly a month's detention by China's State Security apparatus.

The release came after an international outcry over his arrest, with anextraordinary range of voices, including the State Department, United Nations officials, and Act Up, the protest group concerned with AIDS issues, expressing their concerns.