Taipei: Germany is “deeply concerned” over a Chinese criminal probe into Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Puma Shen, Germany’s top envoy to Taiwan said Thursday.

According to Focus Taiwan, Karsten Tietz, director-general of the German Institute Taipei, expressed serious concerns about the use of criminal law against individuals who express differing political opinions, particularly in the context of cross-strait relations. Tietz emphasized the importance of allowing people in Taiwan to speak freely to protect their freedom, democracy, and rule of law.

Tietz’s remarks followed Shen’s visit to Berlin last week, where he participated in a parliamentary hearing focused on “Disinformation by Autocratic States Aiming to Undermine Democracy and Threaten Human Rights.” The visit gained attention in Taiwan after a Chinese legal expert proposed that Shen might be targeted through Interpol. In late October, the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau had listed Shen as “wanted” for alleged “criminal activities of secession.”