The terse statement released by the police about the death of a young man who was interrogated in Beijing at the weekend has once again provoked the public to question the official version of events.

Lei Yang, 29, the father of a new-born daughter and an expert on the environmental economy with a master's degree from Renmin University of China, died on Saturday night while in police custody after he was seized during a vice raid in the capital's Changping district.

The police, in a short statement issued two days later, said Lei refused to be subdued when caught, suffered a sudden illness during questioning, and was sent to hospital. He was there confirmed dead.