Media rights groups are calling for a thorough investigation into the death of a Chinese journalist this week.
The investigative journalist, Sun Hongjie, was attacked by a gang of men in disputed circumstances ten days ago.
Based in Xinjiang in western China, he died from his injuries in what police say was a personal dispute.
Mr Sun’s colleagues say he was investigating forced demolitions, a subject likely to have led him into conflict with officials.
“Until there is a full, independent investigation, the official explanation of Sun Hongjie’s brutal death must be treated with a great deal of skepticism,” said Bob Dietz, Asia programme coordinator for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.
Mr Sun was a senior reporter at the Northern Xinjiang Morning Post.
He died at a hospital in the city of Kuitun 10 days after he was beaten by six men at a construction site, a colleague told reporters.
Police have detained six people for alleged involvement in the fight.
The Global Times newspaper said one of Mr Sun’s recent reports suggested a township government in Kuitun forced the demolition of a dairy company’s building to make space for government officials’ homes.
Several Chinese internet postings continue to cast doubt on the official version of the events behind Mr Sun’s death.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.