Henny Ray Abrams / AP Photo
Blind dissident Chen Guangcheng’s worst fears may be coming true. A lawyer based in China said Saturday that the elder brother of the rights activist who fled to America earlier this month has gone missing after a visit to Beijing on Wednesday in what appears to be an act of government reprisal. Chen Guangfu reportedly went to Beijing to help his son fight a murder charge, but failed to return to his hotel Friday, according to lawyer Liu Weiguo. “As of now, there’s no news on brother Guangfu,” Liu told Reuters. “We’re not optimistic. Guangcheng is also very worried. He’s contacting friends to look [for him].” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner told reporters Thursday that the United States is keeping an eye on Chen’s relatives in China.