Guideline issued on detention for contempt

A new guideline on detention for those who disturb case hearings or interfere with the enforcement of verdicts was issued by China's top court on Tuesday.

Jointly released by the Supreme People's Court and Ministry of Public Security, the guideline stipulates that all courts must have named officers who will liaise with police in the event that someone is detained for contempt of court.

These officers should also have regular conferences with the police, the guideline said.

It also encouraged courts across the country to establish information platforms, such as video conferencing, to communicate with the police so that the circumstances of the detention can be better understood.

All information shared is to be recorded, according to the guideline.

If any detainees fall ill or become sick, the police have the right to request courts cease the detention, it said, adding that all detainees should be dealt with within 24 hours of their arrival at a detention house.

"Rights, especially privacy of every detainee must be protected during the process, while every procedure of the detention must be strictly in line with the guideline," the court said.