Experts question whether newly published photos of Peng Shuai looking happy behind a sea filled with toys pose for the cameras.
The three photographs were taken by a reporter for CGTN, China’s international wing. They show the 35 year-old tennis ace posing beside a grey cat, while being surrounded with soft toys.
Shen Shiwei shared the photos to Twitter Friday. He claimed that the images were posted to Shuai’s WeChat messenger. Experts continue to doubt the authenticity of the images.
Shuai is still in danger. She was once the best female double’s player worldwide and has been missing since being accused of rape by the former vice-premier.
Friday was the second occasion in two days in which the Chinese state broadcaster tried to ease concern about the missing tennis player. She shared an email she claimed to have written to Shuai, in which Shuai stated that she was “resting at home”.
Andy Murray and Serena Williams are the most prominent names joining the search for missing tennis player Peng Shuai, following her allegations of sexual assault.
Peng Shuai is still in danger. She was once the number one female double’s player worldwide, but she has been missing since November 2nd, when Peng Shuai accused the former vice-premier of rape.
A reporter with CGTN (the international wing China’s state broadcaster) posted three photos online showing the 35-year old tennis ace posing alongside a grey cat and surrounded by soft toys.
Shen Shiwei shared the photos to Twitter Friday. He claimed that the images were posted to Shuai’s WeChat messenger. Experts continue to doubt the authenticity of the images.
The pictures were shared online and internet detectives raised concerns about the presence of a frame of Winnie-the-Pooh, a Chinese character that is banned from being displayed in public.
She has not been publicly seen since her statement on Chinese social networks in November, that Zhang Gaoli, former vice-premier of doubles World No 1, coerced and forced her into sex three-years ago. They had also had an off-and-on relationship.
The account was immediately deleted. However, screenshots were quickly shared of the shocking accusation despite it being removed from Weibo’s top Chinese social media platform. Discussions on China’s tightly censored internet are being closed to this topic
Peng Shuai (35) is a Chinese tennis superstar who hasn’t been seen since November 2, when she made a post on social media claiming that a top Communist official had sexually abused her.
Serena Williams took control of her social media accounts and got over 24,000 followers.
Naomi Osaka posted her shock on Twitter using #WhereIsPengShuai
Andy Murray is now joining the hunt for Peng, the world’s former No. 1 doubles player
Serena Williams (44) a former Grand Slam champion and publicly demanded an investigation be opened into Shuai’s disappearance.
Andy Murray then weighed in on the uncomfortable situation himself, noting: ‘Female tennis player Peng Shuai whereabouts currently unknown after making Sexual abuse allegations against Chinese government official.
“This speech is a reminder that we can make a difference in the future. #WhereIsPengShuai”
Meanwhile, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said it was prepared to pull its tournaments out of China if they were not satisfied with the response to her sexual assault allegation.
The email was published by Chinese state media in English after Peng claimed that it was an English-language message. In the email, Peng stated: ‘I am not missing and I’m safe. Everything is okay, I just stayed at home.
Steve Simon, head of Women’s Tennis Association said that he can’t believe Peng sent the email and it “only raises questions about her safety and whereabouts.”
Simon said that nobody from the WTA has been in direct contact with Peng since she accused 75-year-old Communist party official Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into sex on Chinese social media two weeks ago.
As Chinese media reported that she had sent an email to herself, claiming it was an email from her, the state media claimed her account. She stated: “I just rest at home, everything is fine.”
Many social media users pointed out some oddities about the e-mail, such as the fact it was addressed to everyone even though it appears to be a private message. Also, the typing cursor flashes in the middle of it. It could indicate that the message may have been opened in a word process.
Peng claimed that Zhang Gaoli, a senior politician, had sexually assaulted Peng in his bedroom while her wife was there
Simon cast doubts on Wednesday on an email that was released on Twitter by Chinese state media outlets. It purported to come from Peng, and denied the sexual assault allegations.
He stated, “It is hard to believe Peng Shuai sent the email that we got” or believed what was being claimed about her.
According to BrandMentions, #WhereIsPengShuai has racked-up more than 32 million mentions via Instagram’s hashtag. It is blocked in China and Twitter as well.
China’s Foreign Ministry stated earlier that it wasn’t aware of Peng’s disappearance after she accused a top official of abusing her sexually.
Zhao Lijian (Minister of Commerce) told reporters that Zhao was not able to answer diplomatic questions and wasn’t aware of the current situation.
Zhao Lijian of China’s Foreign Ministry, (pictured on November 16, 2009), said that Peng Shuai’s mysterious disappearance was not an issue of diplomacy and that she wasn’t aware.
Since it was reported as an important global story last week, the ministry has always denied any knowledge.
Despite this, international pressure has been growing to uncover the truth about Peng’s whereabouts, with 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, 40, urging an investigation to be launched.
Peng (35), is an ex-top ranked female doubles player who was awarded titles at Wimbledon 2013 and the French Open 2014.
Her participation in the Olympics was also a factor, which made her even more notable with Beijing hosting the Winter Games.
Liz Throssell is a spokesperson for U.N. Geneva human rights office. On Friday, it called for full transparency in her sexual assault allegation.
“And we think that it should be the case in all sexual assault claims. She stated that it was crucial to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure victims receive justice.