Probe into dubious detentions

An investigation has been launched into a newspaper report claiming that at least 18 people from Shandong province were detained in hospitals for the mentally ill after filing petitions in Beijing, the State Bureau for Letters and Calls said yesterday.

A bureau official, who refused to be named, told China Daily the Shandong government is looking into the claim.

"We will release the results as soon as possible," he said.