The All China Lawyers Association (ACLA), China’s official professional association for lawyers, issued a letter of investigation on Monday requiring the Guangxi Lawyers Association (GLA) to make a thorough investigation into the case of a local lawyer who claims to have been assaulted in a courtroom by police officers.

The lawyer, Wu Liangshu, said that he was beaten by court policemen on Friday after his request to file a case in a district court in Nanning, Guangxi, was rejected.

According to Wu, the clash broke out when he refused to hand over his mobile phone for inspection by the Qingxiu District Court police. Wu had used the phone to record a conversation with court officials in the court’s petition office.

The head of Qingxiu District Court apologized to Wu. Wu then filed a complaint with the Lawyers Associations of Nanning and Guangxi.

The ACLA said in a statement that, tasked with the responsibility of protecting lawyers’ rights, they urge the Guangxi association to find out the truth. If Wu’s claims prove to be true, the association will take measures to protect his interests.

Wang Junfeng, president of ACLA, said in an interview that he feels terrible for Wu’s suffering. He added that this case, coming as China’s law-based governance sees great progress, deserves more attention.

On the same night and morning after the alleged attack, the courts of Qingxiu District, as well as the law firm where Wu works, made successive statements on the issue. But each party gave a different version of events.

The Qingxiu District Court said that there was indeed “pull and push” when Wu refused to hand over his cell phone, but they said the court police did not beat him. Also, after Wu’s pants were torn, the statement said that a court policeman offered Wu a new pair, but he refused.

The courts of Nanning and Guangxi also stated that they are investigating the issue.